RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE Sneak Preview Mick Moloney Plays the Grey Eagle on March 5

ne of the most exciting guitarists groups he helped found, The Chanting tricks in his playing, composing, per- on McNally’s in Irish traditional music today, House and Solas. forming and producing, Doyle is solidly “Row of Flats.” Dublin-born Asheville resident Impossibly in demand in the studio establishing himself as one of the most CD available John Doyle made a name for and on the road, immensely talented and versatile, creative and prolific voices in online at www. himself with his striking propul- blessed with an acute ear, a wicked sense folk and traditional Irish music. mickmoloney. sive style in both the innovative of rhythm and seemingly endless bag of Limerick-born Mick Moloney was a com or on the O key figure in the Dublin folk-song revival night of the in the 1960s. After relocating to Philadel- concert phia, he became a leader in contemporary San Fran- Irish-American music through his teach- cisco native ing, producing, recording, performances, Athena Tergis and academic folklore activities. In 1999 he has played received the National Heritage Award from fiddle nearly all her life. Winning the the National Endowment for the Arts. National Scottish Fiddling Championship Moloney’s new album, McNally’s in Virginia at age 11, she later turned her “Row of Flats,” pulls back the curtain on bow to the traditional music of Ireland. In a forgotten era of Irish-American history collaborations with Laura Risk and Harry and song. It centers on the work of actor/ Bradley, in appearances with the Sharon writer Ed Harrigan and musician David Shannon band, and as the principal fid- Braham, who were the toast of the Great dler in Riverdance Broadway, Tergis has White Way in an era when the intersec- distinguished herself as a musician of great tion of minstrelsy and vaudeville were scope, with influences ranging from Celtic poised to give birth to what we now know traditional to jazz. as American Musical Theatre. Harrigan and his performing partner Tony Hart both began their careers in the minstrelsy circuit before collaborating on a series of If you go satirical sketches based on the immigrant communities of New York City. March 5, 8pm. In the 1870s, Harrigan parlayed their $12 advance/$15 day of show. most popular sketches into a series of The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave, incredibly successful musical plays, for Asheville, NC. Phone: (828) 232-5800 which he and pit-orchestra leader Bra- Advance tickets available online and at our ham wrote the songs Moloney revisits local outlets. Fully seated show.

Brevard College Guitarist Wesley Arnold Performs

n Saturday, March 1, Brevard by Valerie Leeper College’s Wesley Arnold will perform his senior show on guitar with works by J.S. Bach, Last year he received awards for Mauro Giuliani, Yuquijiro Yo- outstanding music major, music theory coh, Nikita Koshkin and Guido achievement and highest grade point aver- OSantorsola. Bach’s Suite in A Major, BWV age in the music department at Brevard 1009 was transcribed for guitar by Arnold College. Outside of his studies at Brevard himself. College, Arnold performs and teaches Wesley Arnold began studying guitar guitar locally as well as teaches various with Roger Cope at Blue Ridge Com- programs including music and leader- munity College. Since then he has studied ship skills at the Boys and Girls Club of with guitarist and luthier Dr. Steven Wal- Henderson County. Recently, he finished ter of Furman University, and while living recording several new guitar composi- in Africa, he studied with guitar professor tions for the documentary Freedomhouse Fred Kazanjian of the Windhoek School of which will be released later this year. the Arts in Namibia. Arnold has also performed in master If you go classes for Roger Cope, Benjamin Bunch, Dr. Douglas James, Carlos Perez and The concert takes place on Saturday, Dr. Steven Walter. Upon receiving his March 1, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. in the Francis Associate of Arts at Blue Ridge Com- Pavilion in Brevard College’s Porter Cen- munity College, Wesley was awarded the ter for the Performing Arts. Admission prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is free. For more information call (828) Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. 884-8330.  March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 Childhood. Lost innocence. Love. Transformation. Passages Re ections on the stages of life e Asheville Choral Society Powerful voices. Remarkable music.

Lenora om, Elizabeth Keusch, Music Director Gregory Mercer, Soprano Tenor Gerald Finzi: Intimations of Immortality Carl August Nielsen: Hymnus Amoris Ralph Vaughan Williams: Toward the Unknown Region with orchestra

Saturday, March 8 at 8:00 pm Sunday, March 9 at 4:00 pm Central United Methodist Church, Downtown Asheville $20, $15/students. Group discount for 10 or more. Tickets: www.ashevillechoralsociety.org (828) 299-9063 Message from the Publisher Rapid River ® There are a lot of free magazines available around town. ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE Not as many as there were a year ago, but a lot more than when we first began back in 1997. There were about five Volume Eleven, Number Seven or six back then — today there are over 40. Because of the competition we have been forced to be better, to always stay a Established in 1997 point or two ahead in the game. Rapid River Magazine has some of the most sought after Distributed at over 390 locations writers in town. I run the business, pay the bills, etc., but it’s throughout eight counties in WNC and South Carolina the writers who make this magazine happen. Rapid River Magazine began in March of 1997 (although we didn’t print our first issue until September of that year) and now 11 years Publisher/Editor: Dennis Ray March 2008 later I want to give thanks to all the writers who have helped this publication Managing Editor: Beth Gossett www.rapidrivermagazine.com become the “oldest and most read arts and culture magazine” in WNC. Art Director: Dennis Ray See James Cassara’s “Spinning Disc” (this is the oldest column in the pub- Print Production: Simone Bouyer lication beginning in November 1997 and James hasn’t missed an issue yet) and don’t forget Michael Parker’s take on wine this month, (he has written an article Marketing: Dennis Ray Staff Photographer: Dennis Ray Inside for us every month since March of ‘98.) I’d like to give a gracious thank you to Marcianne Miller for many years of exceptionally well-written articles, and Accounting: Sharon Cole book reviews, and for creating the best movie section in the mountains, along Book Editor: Marcianne Miller 5 Performance with her long-time colleagues Chip Kaufmann and Michelle Keenan. Film Editor: Marcianne Miller Asheville Lyric Opera Welcome back to poet Jeff Davis (see his story on the legendary Robert Bly) Distribution: Dennis Ray and art writer Simcha Weinstein (see The Giclee Journey). Welcome to our new multi-talented theatre editor, Roxane Clement, who’s 12 Columns been writing theatre articles for several months, as well as her decorative arts Contributing Writers MariJo Moore ...... 12 column, the Artful Home. She joins the growing ranks of our esteemed colum- Fredrick April, H. Byron Ballard, Peter Loewer ...... 13 nists: poet MariJo Moore, book reviewers H. Byron Ballard and John M. Rose, Sierra Bicking, Haley Boram, James Cassara ...... 14 nature artist Peter Loewer, beer lover Joe Zinich, chef Mackensy Lunsford, and Erin Braasch, Greg Brown, Roxane Clement ...... 24 Dr. DeWayne Butcher. Jenny Bunn, DeWayne Butcher, Mackensy Lunsford ...... 31 Rapid River Magazine is always proud to bring on new writers. This month Roxane Clement, Jeff Davis, we introduce art writer Caitlin Wood — see her article on artist Julia West. Amy Downs, John Ellis, Special thanks go to our writers who also draw — our wonderful cartoon- 7 Art David Erickson, Beth Gossett, Frame Shoppe . . . . 7 ists Amy Downs and Phil Hawkins who have both been with us for several Felicity Green, Phil Hawkins, years. See their cartoons on page 37 Vadim Bora Gallery . . . . 7 Lindsay Hearn, Rachel Hunnicutt, To all of our writers, past and present, we offer a big thanks. You’re the Focus Gallery ...... 8 ones who inform and entertain us every month, who make us happy to be in RoseLyn Katz, Chip Kaufmann, Arts & Heritage Gallery . . . . 10 these wonderful mountains with so many things to see and do. Michelle Keenan, Peter Loewer, Asheville Art Museum ...... 11 Mackensy Lunsford, MariJo Moore, The Giclee Journey ...... 32 Have a great month — we’ll see you in April. April Nance, Wendy H. Outland, Woolworth Walk Gallery ...... 33 Dennis Ray, Publisher Rapid River Magazine Michael Parker, John M. Rose, Dennis Ray, Anne Rawson, 2 Music Ashley Van Matre, Bill Walz, Mick Maloney ...... 2 Julia Weatherford, Simcha Weinstein, Wesley Arnold ...... 2 Caitlin Wood, and Joe Zinich. Kruger Brothers ...... 15 Free Planet Radio ...... 17 Peter Loewer Giannini Brass ...... 26 Printmaker Graphos=Studio INFO Rapid River Art Magazine is Asheville Choral Society ...... 16 a free monthly publication. Akira Satake Band ...... 34 Address correspondence to: [email protected] 18 Books or write to: John M. Rose ...... 18 Rapid River Art Magazine, Beth Gossett ...... 18 85 N. Main St. H. Byron Ballard ...... 19 Canton, NC 28716 Phone: (828) 646-0071 21 Movie Reviews www.rapidrivermagazine.com Artful Living All materials contained herein are 27 PO Box 5039 ~ Asheville, NC 28813 owned and copyrighted by Rapid email: [email protected] River Art Magazine and the individual 28-29 Wine & Beer contributors unless otherwise stated. Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily correspond with the 30 Local Flavor opinions of Rapid River Art Magazine or the advertisers found herein. 36 What to Do Guide™ © Rapid River Magazine, Callie and Cats ...... 37 March, 2008. Vol. 11, No. 7 Corgi Tales ...... 37

Cover Design: Dennis Ray

 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE COVER STORY

The Barber Will See You Now by Dennis Ray If you go Barber of Seville, April 4 & 5, 8 p.m. Asheville Lyric Opera Closes Out 9th Season With Crowd Favorite (preview dress April 2 at 7 p.m.) he Asheville Lyric Opera Compa- Asheville Lryic Opera’s latest and has been described as “warm and flex- (828) 257-4530 ny is proud to present Rossini’s Il last production of the 2007-2008 season, ible.” Stein earned his Bachelor of Music for tickets Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of ALO’s 9th season, should prove to be the degree from Wright State University in Also mark your Seville) this April in various states best opera they have produce and perhaps Dayton, Ohio and a Master of Music calendars for: May across the Southeast. even the most entertaining. degree from the University of North 2008 Guild Thank- T North Carolina This is saying quite a lot after Carolina-Greensboro. You Dinner (Date native mezzo-soprano Cheryse their seventh season’s Madam Gregory Gerbrandt (Figaro), bari- TBA); June 26, 2008 “Best Is Yet To McLeod Lewis, formerly ALO’s Butterfly and last season’s La tone, excitedly travels to Asheville from Come” Party and Silent Auction. Carmen, returns to sing the Traviata. New York City for the very first time to role of Rosina. Joining Lewis is “Each year we strive to get sing the role of the amazing and brilliant More Rhythm, Dance & Singing Greensboro Opera tenor Daniel better,” says David Starkey, Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia! How- Stein and Opera Theatre of St. general director of ALO. “Now ever, before any of that happens, he will Asheville Choral Society Louis bass Daniel Webb, who we’re ending our ninth season be singing Belcore in L’elisir d’amore presents "Passages" ...... pg. 16 will be singing the beloved role and I can say we’re moving in with Opera Idaho, and singing both the No Shame Theatre...... pg. 16 of the father. the right direction. The Barber Bach St. Matthew Passion and Handel’s Robert Bly & Free The Barber of Seville written of Seville is a crowd favorite. Messiah with the acclaimed Bethany Planet Radio ...... pg. 17 David Starkey The hardest part about doing Oratorio Society. by Gioachino Rossini favorites is people have high Daniel C. Webb (Bartolo), bass- Carolina Ballet's "Peter Although the barber in this opera is expectations. We have to deliver. This baritone, has racked up more than 300 and The Wolf" ...... pg. 25 the same barber in Mozart’s The Mar- show the audience will be blown away. performances as Colline in the Baz 3 Comedians Crash riage of Figaro, knowing this or the plot It’s going to be our best.” Luhrmann production of La Bohème the Wortham ...... pg. 34 of The Barber of Seville is not required The Cast on Broadway. His time in the Broadway NCSC's "Thin Walls" ...... pg. 35 to enjoy this wonderful opera that has community also included performances Garth Fagan Dance at Diana been performing somewhere in the Cheryse McLeod Lewis (Rosina), in the 2003 Tony Awards and the annual Wortham Theatre ...... pg. 38 world since its debut in 1816. mezzo-soprano, brings a striking vo- Easter Bonnet Competition. Written in an astoundingly brief cal and physical presence to the stage. couple of weeks, Rossini managed to Of Ms. Lewis’ debut as Carmen with deliver an opera that is both humorous Asheville Lyric Opera and South Caro- and heartfelt. lina Opera, Martha A. Fawbush of the For the most part the story of the Asheville Citizen-Times commended The Barber of Seville is rather straight- Lewis’ voice for filling the hall with forward, yet it does at times it can get a “stunning vocal power” and for moving little complicated in ways operas tend to “effortlessly from laughing flirtation to… do. The plot, however, is rather simple, Carmen’s fiery emotional reactions.” For Count Almaviva enlists the support her role as Hansel in Hansel and Gretel of Figaro to win the hand of Rosina. with Connecticut Opera, David Shen- Disguised as “Lindoro,” Almaviva woos gold of Opera News Online praised Ms. Rosina and they fall in love. But Rosina’s Lewis for her “rich lyric-mezzo sound” guardian, tired and old Dr. Bartolo, and “endearing characterizations. intends to marry his ward himself. That’s Daniel C. Stein (Count Almaviva), pretty much it in a nut shell.. tenor, is an Ohio native whose voice

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008  RAPID RIVER ARTS FINE ART Geraldine Plato Named as New Executive Director of HandMade in America

by David Erickson

carefully executed transition process has culminated in the hir- ing of Geraldine Plato as the new Executive Director of HandMade in America. Unanimous ap- proval by HandMade’s Board of DirectorsA on Monday, January 28 brought the executive search to a close with Plato assuming the position effective March 1. Currently a resident of Penland, North Carolina, Plato is a native of Elyria, Ohio, and first moved to Western North the handmade object,” said David Erick- Carolina in 1984. Her notable career son, Chairman of HandMade’s Board of includes two periods worked with the Directors. “In keeping with this objec- Penland School of Crafts. The first, in tive, it is quite fitting that our thorough the 1980’s when she was responsible for nationwide search for the best possible oversight of the scholarship program, candidate brought us right back to our the coordination of all services, and the own neighborhood.” management of numerous special events Becky Anderson, who founded including developing the blueprint for the HandMade in 1993 will leave at the end of first Annual Benefit Auction – which has March, to become fully engaged in work- become a sell-out event; the second, in the ing with nonprofit communities across 1990’s, when she returned to Penland to the county, through a private consulting oversee operational phases of the School’s practice. The torch she passes to Plato is a management as Assistant Director. strong organization – one that has earned Prior to that, Plato was Public Infor- an exceptional reputation across Western mation Director for the Mississippi Arts North Carolina and beyond. Commission, developing and imple- HandMade in America’s success is menting communications for the state- due, in large part, to its solid fiscal posi- wide arts organization. Most recently, tion, and a staff of dedicated, motivated Plato served as Head of the Spruce Pine individuals who hold a common vision Montessori School where she developed – that of advancing the nonprofit’s clear- programs and curriculum, donor relation- cut goals over the next eighteen months. ships and fundraising strategies, while “The staff deeply appreciates Becky’s managing school staff and hundreds of thoughtful preparation for her career volunteers in the four-county service area. change, and the engagement of both the Altogether, Plato brings over twenty Board and staff in the process,” said Betty years of professional experience to her Hurst, staff representative on the Transi- management role with HandMade. Her tion Committee. “It has been a construc- considerable expertise in arts and crafts tive time for everyone. We look to the administration and education, and her net- future with an even greater loyalty to the work of community relationships are espe- HandMade organization, and know there cially well suited to the mission, programs, will be a continuity of strength in our and services of HandMade in America. programming.” “It’s rewarding to see how the skills “Our Transition Committee is de- I have developed over the years translate lighted that Geraldine Plato has emerged so well into my responsibilities at Hand- as the best of the best,” Erickson added. Made. My passion for the advancement of “We are anxious to get started in the next crafts, community development in WNC, chapter of HandMade’s rich history with and hands-on education will find a great Geraldine at the helm as our new Execu- home at HandMade,” Plato said. tive Director.” Last year, the change in leader- ship was advanced by Becky Anderson – HandMade’s founder – together with HandMade in America is a nonprofit the Board of Directors, through a strate- organization promoting craft and culture gically phased action plan over a ten- for community and economic develop- month period. ment in Western North Carolina. For more “One of the goals of the HandMade information, call Donna Abranches, Di- in America organization is to promote rector of Operations, at (828) 252-0121, Western North Carolina as the center for or go to www.handmadeinamerica.org.

 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE NEW EXHIBITS

Works by Julia L. West on Display at the Frame Shoppe by Caitlin Wood

lothing designer, muralist, fine West, reflected the internal turmoil and her boyfriend featuring artist, scenic painter, and little lack of confidence that dominated her life local artists in Orlando’s league baseball sign designer: at the time. City Hall. The “Love Is all of these titles could be given West was had moved to Orlando, For Everyone” organic ap- to dynamic artist Julia West, yet Florida and was seeking to reinvent her- parel company, established none of them would effectively self after ending the marriage that earned in 2005, is one of West’s Cencapsulate her work. her the status and transient lifestyle of a more recent collaborative Currently an Asheville resident “Navy wife.” She decided to leave behind projects. LIFE, a grassroots running projects as far away as Orlando, the color and abstraction that character- organization designed to Florida, West pursues her diverse talents ized her work, and, encouraged by a promote and help to mar- and embraces the process of personal friend who ran Orlando’s “Nude Night,” ket clothing designed by growth and change as an integral part of West initiated her black and white nude artists who advocates values her life and work as an painting series. “Much such as acceptance of diver- artist. of my black and white sity, kindness, forgiveness, In The Shadows Male Nude #4205 “To practice only work is an exercise in unity, understanding, and one style causes me to letting go and opening purposeful living. lose interest, keeping myself up to all of the West identifies herself as a “technique living or of self-expression; it is a way to me from growing and possibilities life has to oriented” person, enjoying learning how communicate a positive and construc- learning,” says West in offer,” West says. “I to use materials in many different ways. tive vision to whoever needs or wants to her Artist’s statement, wanted to stop feeling “My favorite techniques of aging and receive it. “I like my mind to be hopeless and to find antiquing things to make them look old,” challenged and my art faith.” Needless to say she says, “has changed and influenced my to reflect my thought she was not the only fine art painting, evident in the nudes that Frame Shoppe & Gallery processes.” one to find her new I show in galleries.” West grew up in style inspiring; her first Currently, West is busy organiz- 1378 Hendersonville Rd. Ohio, and began her show was a smashing ing the “Black Mountain Clothing Co.”, Asheville • (828) 274-3635 career as an artist with success, and she has designing hand painted, and limited colorful dreamlike im- loved developing the edition garments. The business seeks out www.frameshoppeandgallery.com ages and landscapes. style ever since. the talents of local artists, and strives to These paintings, like West has quite support local businesses and utilize local “Every Drop of Rain a prestigious profes- resources. For more information about Julia or LIFE, is an Ocean” pictured sional résumé. She did In the future, West hopes to someday visit: www.geocities.com/juliawestbare- (below), which west set work and scenic work with children of ages 6-18 using footartist/ or www.loveisforeveryone.com. calls her “surreal work,” painting for Nickel- art and self expression as a medium for Or write to her at: juliawestbarefoot- had a disjointed qual- Every Drop of Rain odeon Studios and building self confidence. For West, art [email protected] ity which, according to is an Ocean runs an art gallery with is more than just a means of making a

Outstanding Local Artist Prepares for Spring Show by Caitlin Wood

sitting in the Wedge Gallery, sur- Like his father, Georgi has Bora works primarily fuels Bora’s creative process, as well as his rounded by the paint, canvas, and seen success early in his with oil paint on canvas, love for seeing the beauty in the essence works of art in progress, Georgi career: in Georgi’s show last accenting his works with a of the world around him. He emphasizes Bora speaks of being “a fanatic year, most of the paintings unique three-dimensional the importance of living in the moment about life:” were sold the day of the texturing technique. and in the flow of life, and believes that “There was a man,” he says, opening. He works in the by letting go of control and expecta- S“who would only blink by closing one eye His next show will take Wedge Gallery, 151 Rob- tions everyone can access his or her true at a time. He was afraid to miss some- place this April. “It’s about erts Street in the River potential. thing.” transcending things,” he Arts District,, which he Georgi Bora’s work is exciting and Georgi Bora, son of local artist Vadim says, “about transcending identifies as “an inspiring provocative, and he is an influential and Bora, is a resident artist of Asheville, reality.” Also touched upon atmosphere of creative passionate member of the community of but his home is in Vladikavkaz Russia, in the works of his next people.” This network of artists in Asheville. His show this spring where he was born. He went to school at show are the concepts of studios and workshops promises to be a phenomenal event. Litcey School of the Arts and at the age of serendipity and of looking is an invaluable resource 21 moved to Asheville in the year 2000. deeply into the nature of for the artist community Since then, he has proven himself to be a things beyond the surface. Self Portrait by in Asheville. For Bora, If you go talented and passionate artist. Facing the Georgi works tirelessly Georgi Bora the Wedge embodies the difficult task of shining in the art world to realize his artistic vision. The issues characteristic innovative spirit of Ashe- Event: April 4 at 6 pm. at the the Vadim with his father’s legacy going before him, touched upon in his work are as varied ville, a place that is constantly reinventing Bora Gallery in Asheville, located at 30 ½ he has, instead of competing with his and complex as the artist himself; his itself. Battery Park Avenue. For more informa- father or his name, stepped fearlessly for- paintings delve into the surreal and the The artists working in the Wedge tion call (828) 989-7665. ward into the next generation. The two abstract world of the imagination, fusing “generate an energy,” Bora says, “because artists frequently work together on design it with forms and figures from reality and they’re dealing with feelings and emo- For more information about the upcoming projects, but also work independently, bringing them to life with bold colors and tions. It can’t be described or controlled.” show and about the artist himself, visit each with their own unique ambitions. shapes. It is this indescribable artistic energy that his website at www.georgibora.com.

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008  RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE OFF Sale! 25% - 50% FINE ART On Select Items Focus Gallery Presents Work by Mija and William S. Rogers by April Nance n display now through April 22 used in one in the Folk Art Center’s Focus production. Gallery is the work of artists The quilts who use reclaimed materials are stitched and sustainable processes in with metal- their work. lic threads OLibby and Jim Mijanovich, through in patterns their business, Mija, make art quilts which com- “Infinity” fiber wall piece by Mija fashioned from vintage clothing. Wil- plement the liam Rogers uses traditional skills as a design. The County Bella Donna blacksmith, silversmith and coppersmith artists are Green En- to create contemporary designs. Rogers inspired by ergy Park. DESIGNS, LLC explains that smiths have historically used color and End tables by He uses recycled materials in their work. In addi- the many William S. Rogers his years of tion, he often uses a forge fueled by gas values from FINE FURNITURE experience recovered from a former landfill. light to to not only LIGHTING ~ ACCESSORIES Mija quilts are filled with light and dark that create new color. Through careful selection and each color work, but Located at design recycled shirts are transformed has. They to provide into art. Libby and Jim Mijanovich have expertly use educational, Interiors of Asheville assembled a great selection of men’s cot- these values consulta- Biltmore Station ton shirts which they find at Goodwill to create “Gelato” fiber wall piece tion, and and other thrift shops. The fabric from movement by Mija restoration 2 Hendersonville Rd. the shirts is cut and woven into squares and dimen- services to which become the building blocks of sion in Detail of pedestal table by William S. Rogers museums, schools and the public. His 828-342-0809 their quilts. As many as 30 fabrics can be their quilts. work includes metal furniture and ac- Each piece cessories as well as kitchen utensils and is named, dated and signed using a shirt serving pieces. pocket for a label. The quilts are then While the work on its own is worthy framed in walnut shadowbox frames. of admiration, the processes and spirit William Rogers has been recognized which led each artist to the finished prod- by the states of Virginia and Tennes- uct are also inspiring. Whether through see as a master craftsman. He now lives the use of reclaimed materials or by using in Cullowhee, NC where he developed a natural gas forge, Mija and Rogers have the blacksmithing studio at the Jackson created sustainable art. Paintings by Colleen Meechan at Aaac by Wendy H. Outland itled Experiencing the Simi- in shapes, lines and color, thus reinforcing larities, local artist Colleen the natural energy found in nature. Meechan’s exhibit compares the mountains and trails of the Hawaiian Islands with those If you go of Western A reception for TNorth Carolina. It Colleen Meechan will remain on display will be held in the through April 28th. Boardroom Gallery Meechan moved on Friday, March 7, to the Asheville area 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the two years ago, after Asheville Area Arts living in Hawaii for 28 Council, 11 Biltmore years. The expression- Avenue. istic style of her work For further informa- merges the language of tion, contact Wendy abstraction with direct H. Outland, Exhibit perceptions of the vis- Coordinator and ible world. By reducing independent art shapes and spaces to consultant (WHO abstracted elements, KNOWS ART), Meechan finds rhythm “Hills of Color” by Colleen Meechan (828) 231-5355.

 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS FINE ART Easter Events at the Waynesville Recreation Center by Rachel Hunnicutt ake Junaluska Conference and Re- www.lakejunaluska.com/easter. Registra- treat Center will partner this year tion on the day of the race will begin at with the Waynesville Recreation 6:30 a.m. at Nanci Weldon Gym. The Center to celebrate Easter 2008 race begins at 8:00 a.m. with multiple “We look forward activities for the to welcoming families Lentire family on Satur- to Lake Junaluska for day, March 22 from 11 the events we are hav- a.m. to 1 p.m. ing at Easter. This is The events will one of the many ways include an Easter Egg we support the greater Hunt for children 1-3 Haywood County com- years, 4-7 years and 8-12 munity,” said Jimmy years. Lake Junaluska L. Carr, executive will also continue a director of the South- partnership with the eastern Jurisdiction of Haywood County Arts The United Methodist I have heard a lot about Amici Trattoria. Council Volunteer Guild Church which owns who will sponsor the “Lake Junaluska Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat All of it, good. So I just had to stop in and Easter Egg Decorating Contest” as well as Center. other crafts. Prizes will include tickets to On Sunday, March 23, an Easter see what all the talk was about. local attractions and donations from local Sunrise Service will be held at 6:30 a.m. at businesses, as well as other prizes. There the amphitheatre located at the Cross near “Amici Trattoria Brings Italy to Asheville” will be over 4,000 eggs hidden at the event Lambuth Inn at Lake Junaluska. and a special visit from the Easter Bunny Following the Sunrise Service a page 30 will delight children of all ages! breakfast buffet will be served at Lam- This is the first year the Waynes- buth Inn from 7:30-8:30 a.m. Cost of ville Rec. Center will partner with Lake the buffet will be $8 for adults and $4 for Junaluska for this Easter event. “We are children 6-12 years. Children 5 and under delighted with the opportunity to work eat free. A lunch buffet will be served at with Lake Junaluska. Our department is Terrace Hotel from Noon until 2:00 p.m. excited about this event and we hope that Cost will be $19.00 for adults, $9.50 for children of all ages will participate in this children 6-12 years. Children 5 and under fun day,” said Rhett Langston, director of eat free. Reservations may be made by Waynesville Parks and Recreation. calling (828) 452-2881, ext. 0. The day’s events will also include the All events are open to the public. For Lake Junaluska 5K Run/Walk. Registra- more information call (828) 454-6791. tion forms for the 5K are available at Grovewood Easter Egg Hunt

by Ashley Van Matre n Saturday, March 22, put on your bonnet and grab your bas- ket for the first annual Grove- wood Easter Egg Hunt! The hunt begins at 11am Oand will be held on the beautifully main- tained grounds of Grovewood Gallery and the Grovewood Café. Prizes will include stickers, candy, crafts, and more! Snacks will be provided for hungry hunters. Children ages 2-9 can participate. BYOB (Bring your own basket). Registration is $10 and begins at 10:30 a.m. Proceeds go to charity in memory of Buddy Patton. enjoy one of their delicious, homemade Please RSVP ahead of time so we know southern recipes. Kids menus available. how many hunters to expect. The Grovewood Café will also be taking Other funtivities will include egg reservations for their special Easter lunch decorating, a special visit from the Easter on Sunday the 23rd. Bunny himself, and a marionette dem- To RSVP contact the gallery at (828) onstration by master woodworker Eddie 253-7651. Visit www.grovewood.com for Hamrick. Afterwards, hop on down the more information. We are located next to sidewalk to the Grovewood Café and the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008  RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE Exhibitions

grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery Presents by Lindsay Hearn Shifting Winds: Artists of Cherokee High School he Grove Arcade ARTS & exhibition gives our students first-hand woodcarver and instructor Bud Smith Heritage Gallery is currently experience with some important aspects and happened to see the student work. “I displaying Shifting Winds: Art- of the art industry.” was just blown away by the level of skill ists of Cherokee High School. Many of the pieces are traditional; and artistry that some of these students The exhibition brings together others use tradition as a starting point for were already bringing to their work,” says work from more than 60 talented an exploration of a new approach. Basket- Kennedy. “I knew a gallery exhibition Tyoung artists who are engaged in native makers Alisa Long and Brittany Lossah would be a great thing for us and for the artistic traditions including beadwork, had their technique and designs passed students as well.” wood carving, pottery, painting, drawing down to them, as has happened for gener- The and basket weaving. The exhibition will ations, from their grandmothers. Several exhibition Carved dog by John Swimmer. remain on view through April 16. of the potters included in the exhibition takes its Shifting Winds is a partnership have created iconic Cherokee pots such as title from between the gallery and Cherokee High wedding vases, effigy pots and water jugs. a literary Norris and his students have created an School and received funding from the Michael Stamper’s possum effigy pot re- magazine original video production for the Shift- Cherokee Preservation Foundation. It fers to the pro- ing Winds exhibition. It includes trailers represents, in some visual depth, the state Cherokee duced by and clips from films they have made, of young Cherokee artistic conscious- folktale students interspersed with students reciting poetry ness at this time. Cherokee High School relating at Chero- and monologues that they performed for teachers Bud Smith, Kevin Norris, Reba the story kee High the Poetry Out Loud recitation contest Elders and Alyne Stamper curated work of how White oak, single weave School or senior projects. The video component and provided guidance to the students as the vain basket by Brittany Lossah. under the illustrates how a new generation of art- they prepared to participate in what is the possum guidance ists has adapted technology to revive and first exhibition for many. “We welcome lost the of Kevin continue ancient art forms. the opportunity for our students to hair on his Nor- showcase their work,” says Smith. “The tail. The ris, who woodcarv- Possum effigy pot by teaches in If you go ings range Michael Stamper. the Gifted/ The Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage from masks Talented Gallery, located in Suite 115 on O. Henry and figures to war clubs. program Avenue, is open to the public Monday The Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage and serves through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 Gallery carries a wide selection of Chero- as the p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. kee arts and crafts on an on-going basis. The- Information about the gallery can be ac- Gallery director Karen Kennedy was at Rib basket with handle by ater Arts cessed through the www.grovearcade.com Cherokee High School meeting with Alisa Long. Instructor. or by calling (828) 255.0775.

Exhibitions at the Colburn Earth Science Museum egistration for the The Hall of Gems by Felicity Green Colburn Earth Sci- and Minerals ence Museum Sum- mer Camps is starting The Colburn is materials explaining plate tectonics, volca- now! Call (828) 254- renowned for its perma- noes and the mysteries of the Earth’s core. 7162 for your copy of nent collection of gem theR brochure or download one and mineral samples from A Richness of Resources: from our website at colburn- around the world. Kids can History of Mining in WNC museum.org. Camps fill up touch and marvel over the Fish, carved by amazing differences between This fascinating interactive exhibit fast, so be sure to reserve your leads visitors of all ages through the rich child’s space today. Kenneth Neaves, soft minerals like talc and from Granville County hard ones like quartz while history of WNC’s unique mining indus- Wednesday, March 5 agate and Yancey adults oooh and ahhhhh try. Set off the detonator and discover First Wednesday, Free County kyanite. over priceless cut and faceted what a mine looks like inside, then take a Admission, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. gemstones. look at the valuable minerals you might Thursday, March 20 The Museum is proud to announce find in your own backyard. Homeschool Program, grades 1-3: a newly installed case of North Carolina Weather Watchers, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., gem and mineral carvings by North Caro- $5.50 per child. Pre-registration is en- lina artist Kenneth Neaves. Mr. Neaves, If you go couraged for this monthly event. who began carving in 1968 and uses only The Colburn Earth Science Museum, North Carolina gemstones and minerals lower level of Pack Place Education Arts Weather, Climate and You for his unique work, has exhibited and and Science Center. Museum hours are 10 See how you’d look on TV as a sold his carvings all over the world. a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, weatherperson, measure the wind’s speed The Grove Stone Earth Center and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. and learn more about the destructive Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for stu- power of hurricanes. Explore our planet with hands on dents and seniors; kids under 4 are free.

10 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS FINE ART Asheville Art Museum Announces Creation of The smART Series he Asheville Art Museum, with generous support from MetLife by Fredrick April Foundation and a partnership with the Buncombe County islands in Miami’s Biscayne Bay with pink Public Libraries, is proud to fabric in 1983 and placing 7,503 gates made announce the creation of the of saffron-colored cloth along paths in smARTT Speak Distinguished Artist Series New York’s City’s Central Park in 2006. and the four phenomenal artists partici- “Our reasons for choosing these pating in this exciting venture. artists are numerous,” explained Nancy The smART Speak Distinguished Sokolove, the Museum’s Adult Programs Artist Series will bring internationally Manager. “The Guerilla Girl’s mission influential artists to WNC. of non-violent protest with a humorous sensibility certainly hits home for us in Monday, March 31 Asheville, and “Activism” is the theme of The group known as the Guerrilla the programs surrounding their visit. Girls will use facts, humor and outra- Art Spiegelman was chosen with the geous visuals to expose sexism, racism and theme of “Graphic Memory” in mind corruption in politics, art, film and pop as his graphic novels Maus and In the culture, at Asheville Community Theater. Shadow of No Towers are powerful, autobiographical and universal. Thursday, September 11 “Personal Narrative” is the theme of the constellation of programs for the artist Pulitzer Prize winning illustrator Art Faith Ringgold. Her story quilts bridge Spiegelman will speak at Thomas Wolfe craft and fine art to speak to the African- Auditorium. American experience both personally and in a more universal way. Wednesday, November 18 The artists Christo and Jeanne- Multi-faceted artist Faith Ringgold Claude are known for temporary art will talk about her work as a painter, works that reflect and reinterpret their textile artist, children’s book author and surroundings, and “Art and Its Environ- illustrator exploring the African-American ment” is a natural theme for the programs experience at Diana Wortham Theatre. before and after their visit.” Additional partners in this series Thursday, February 5, 2009 include UNC-Asheville and the Asheville School. Internationally known artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude will speak at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. The couple 2 South Pack Square will talk about their four decades of work (828) 253-3227 www.ashevilleart.org together that includes surrounding 11

“Go Figure; the Human Form” n exhibition titled “Go Figure; Bansemer; collage by Kitty Rileigh; pho- the Human Form” will open at tography by Elizabeth Voorhees; ceramic Hand in Hand Gallery on Friday, sculpture and vessels by Chiwa, Nels March 14, 2008 with an opening Arnold, Margot Wallston, Susan Musi- reception from 5-7 p.m. Invited alowski, and David Voorhees; marionettes regional art- by Sandy Webster; fiber dolls by Dee Dee A ists in vari- Triplett and Charlie Patricolo; woven ous mediums using fiber by Andrea Williams; stained glass the human figure as by Lynn Perry, silver jewelry by Nancy theme or subject will Fleming and Molly Sharp. be displayed for the exhibition, which runs through April 27. If you go The exhibition’s Hand in Hand Gallery is located at 2720 figurative works Greenville Highway, along Flat Rock’s include paintings by Little Rainbow Row, For more informa- Suzy Schultz, Edward tion call the gallery at (828) 697-7719 or Carlos, Mike Gilboy, visit us at: www.handinhandgallery.com. Cynthia Wilson, Rob- “Redemption” by Gallery Spring hours are Tuesday through ert Mahosky, Roger Suzy Schultz, oil Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 11 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE poetry First Annual Asheville WordFest Celebrates Poetry poetry All Through the Mountains by MariJo Moore A sacred fury... ncluded in his poem “Many Farm When the local poets first gathered to Notes,” world renowned American create WordFest, Hope-Gill remembers, Dear Stranger an uncommon madness... Indian poet Simon J. Ortiz expresses they shared how they each draw inspira- why all poets do what they do: tion from not only the land, but also from Extant In Memory by the the traditions that the land has given rise Blue Juanita “What would you say to. “We share a connection to the Chero- that the main theme I kee Nation and the teaching of First Na- (Excerpt from Part 4) Of your poetry is?” tions; we are moved by the ballads of the “To put it simply as possible, early Scotch-Irish settlers; and, as poets And if there is one more love I say it this way: to recognize in the South, we are all too aware of the to be known, one more poem The relationships I share African American legacy, from the slave to be opened into life, with everything.” graveyard in Montford to the indispens- you will find it here able voices of our Appalachian writers.” or nowhere. a scattering of birds... Ortiz and other award-winning As the festival website says, “Our goal is national poets, such as Galway Kinnell, to draw as diverse an audience as we pos- Coleman Barks, and Patricia Smith, are Your hand will move on its own sibly can to experience poetry’s power to down the curving path, drawn gathering in Asheville this month for a 4- unite people.” day poetry extravaganza. It’s the first an- down by the terror and terrible lure Contemporary poets appearing at of vacuum: A Poet’s Life nual Asheville WordFest, Thursday, April WordFest (such as Glenis Redmond, Kay 24 to Sunday, April 27, held at several Stripling Byer, Thomas Rain Crowe, locations around town. a face materializes into your hands, Emoke B’raz, Richard Chess, Jeff Davis, on the absolute whiteness of pages A poem can be a rocket In addition to presentations, per- Keith Flynn, Allan Wolf and Jim Náve, — Zoom! — formances, and the chance to meet your a poem writes itself out: its title among others) continue the legacy of the –– the dream of all poems that poets ride beyond the sky. favorite poets, there will be more than Black Mountain College revolution, and a dozen workshops, with such diverse and the text of all loves –– all have a recent memory of the wild po- “Tenderness toward Existence.” A poem can be a secret room where subjects as “Poetry, Health and Al- etry scene that occupied The Green Door poets watch the world walk by. chemy,” “Poetry and Music,” and several and Malaprop’s Cafe in the early 90s as Galway Kinnell workshops for teens. Can’t-miss events the Poetry Slams and Café of Our Own A poem can be loud fireworks include a Green Door Tribute Night, from The Book of Nightmares readings. “There’s a lot of poetry here, (Houghton Mifflin, 1971) — Boom! — the late night readings at BoBo, and the both spoken and yet to be voiced,” Hope- all whoosh and zing and festival-ending reading at Black Mountain Gill continues. “There’s power here. We sparkling fun. College Museum and Arts Center, which look forward to working with it to heal features all the participating local poets. some things in the world.” the general consciousness of poetry in A poem can be a quiet bloom Why such a big-city poetry celebration “WordFest hopes to work on three the city with this festival.” From the bit- that turns her face to drink the sun. in small-town Asheville? “These mountains levels within the community,” says the ing edge poetry of Pulitzer Prize-winner hold the memory and energy of genera- festival’s creative director, poet Sebastian Galway Kinnell (see poem above) to the A poem can be a bloom, a boom, tions,” says WordFest organizer poet Laura Matthews, “publication, performance, family friendly poetry of Allan Wolf (see a room, a zoom, a zing! Hope-Gill, “and by having a festival here, and outreach. With [the publications] poem to the left), WordFest promises to we are working with this creative energy Rivendell and Asheville Poetry Review in offer something for everyone. But poems are only flightless words of the earth to bring people together in the town, and all the tangential readings and All the events are free and open to ‘til poets grant them wings. ongoing words of our shared creations.” happenings going on, we hope to elevate the public. Sign Language interpretation will be available for the deaf and hard of It’s better to live a poet’s life hearing. For a complete workshop sched- than live the life of kings and queens. ule and line up of presenters, and more Asheville WordFest 2008 information about poetry in Asheville, go to www.ashevillewordfest.org. Allan Wolf April 24-27, 2008 Asheville, NC From Immersed in Verse: An Informative, Slightly Irreverent & Totally Tremendous Guide to Living the Poet’s Life (Sterling/Lark Books, 2007)

MariJo Moore is the author of a dozen books including three books of poetry: Spirit Voices of Bones, Confessions of a Madwoman (now available on CD), and the forthcoming Poets Inhale The Darkness Artists Breathe. She’ll be appearing at WordFest with Simon Ortiz and Kathryn Sripling Byer at the UNCA Humanities Lecture Hall, on Friday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. Visit www.marijomoore.com

12 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE the art of nature

The Glorious Cyclamen by Peter Loewer f all the flowering plants that two-and-a-half There are also bloom outdoors in late winter or inches across. hardy cyclamen that early spring or brighten our win- Today do elegantly in Ashe- ter-weary homes when the gray the tubers are ville gardens, one of days never seem to end, nothing about 38 years these beauties being beats a cyclamen for glorious old and every Cyclamen herderi- Oblossoms and beautiful leaves. Over many spring they folium, and usually years of growing plants, with my favorites produce hun- available from better numbering in the dozens, cyclamens still dreds of grace- garden centers. hold one of the top spots in my horticul- ful, incred- The leaves of tural hearth. ibly fragrant this beauty appear The name of cyclamen hearkens flowers with in early spring being back to Ancient Greece when the great reflexed petals a shiny green and philosopher Theophrastus (371-287 BC) (reflex means usually marbled lived and wrote about nature. He was the the petals bend with bright silvery man first responsible for the systemizing back from the patches, the patterns the flora of Greece and many botanists flower base), varying from plant call him the father or taxonomy. blooming over to plant. Flowers It’s generally thought that the deriva- a six-week bloom on short tion of cyclamen comes from the Greek period. The stems just above the word cyclos, or circle, referring to the tubers are now mature leaves and round tubers, the rounded leaves, or pos- each six inches are very fragrant. sibly the odd circular twisting of the floral across. Hardy cyclamen stems because when laden with a ripening The wild Persian cyclamen is be- need a garden spot with protection from seed pod, the actually corkscrew them- loved for those elegant flowers, each held hot sun and the wide weather fluctua- selves down to the earth below. high above marbled foliage, with colors tions we experience here in WNC. An The plants grow from corky tubers that vary from almost pure white to pink ideal spot is under tall trees or branched that are poisonous to man and fish, and on to an acceptable mauve, usually shrubs. In my Asheville garden cyclamens but according to horticultural lore, are with a thin band of dark crimson ring garner shelter from the worst of the ele- beloved by hogs, giving rise to a couple about the floral mouth and that marvel- ments by the overhanging branches of a of common names applied to the plant: ous fragrance to boot. My gift tubers large and spreading yew. Because they are Sow-bread and hog’s bread. The tu- usually begin to bloom in mid-February low growing plants place them near the bers, especially Cyclamen purpurascens and last into April. front edge of flowerbeds where they’re and C. europaeum contain a crystalline Because the original cyclamens came easily seen or try growing them at the saponin known as cyclamen that works from the mountains of Old Persia, which edge of a wall, especially as they seem to as a drastic purgative and is toxic even in included present-day Iran, Mesopota- like the bit of lime that washes in from small amounts. Pliny the Elder men- mia, Syria, Egypt, parts of Asia Minor stones and mortar. tioned its use as a poison to coat arrows and India, territories where the climate For propagation, ants often lend a used for the hunt. is cool and skies above are bright and helping hand. Each ripened seed head of- My introduction to cyclamens came blue, warm rooms with temperatures ten contains up to twenty-five seeds that in 1980, when I was involved in design- above 60 degrees shorten flower life and fall out when ripe. They’re often carried ing artwork for an organization dedicated often prevent immature buds from ever by ants that dote on the sweet flesh sur- to protecting the rare opening. To ensure rounding the seeds — at least to the taste plants and animals blooms always keep of an ant. Eventually these insects carry found in the Holy cyclamens close to a the seeds down to their own colonies, or Land known as the window where tem- even bury them nearby, and before you Holy Land Conserva- peratures are usually know it, a thriving patch of cyclamen is tion Fund. A group of cooler. there to brighten your garden days. concerned Americans Those big and If starting cyclamen from seed, -including Arthur blousy cyclamen always be sure that seed is fresh. Opinions Godfrey, Angier Bid- blossoms that come vary, but all agree that darkness ranging dle Duke, Cleveland from florist shops to heavy shade is necessary for proper Amory, and Roger or garden centers, germination. First soak the seeds in warm Caras formed this either for Christmas water for 24 hours then sow using any American support or Mother’s Day, good garden soil with the addition of group to raise money are usually a florist’s some sharp sand. If planting outdoors be in order to acquire cultivar that began, sure to mark the seed bed well. Seeds take these rare species. In horticulturately, up to ten weeks for germination but these acknowledgement of Peter Loewer examines some with offspring of same plants often bloom within eighteen my efforts the group Lenten roses. Cyclamen persicum, months of age. sent me two tubers of one glorious spe- this time held back for later bloom by giv- cies, Cyclamen persicum. The note that ing tubers a late start. accompanied the tubers said there were By following the above rules of care, about ten years old and produced from you can keep these tubers producing great Peter Loewer is a well-known writer seed collected from a tuber found in the flowers and foliage year after year, and and botanical artist who has written and deserts of Israel, specifically the Hai-Bar watch the tubers get bigger following each illustrated over twenty-five books on natural preserve. At that time the tuber measured flowering period. history over the past thirty years.

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 13 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE MUSIC

March CD Reviews by James Cassara

Give it two stars or the elusive five, rest assured that anything mentioned here is worth seeking out, preferably at your local independent record store. They are, after all, the ones who love what they sell. Email me your comments at [email protected] and I’ll gladly send you a free disc or two.

Patty Hurst Shifter to channel something else. The mushy I would hate them to stray too far from Coma La Grava aural nature doesn’t help (the mastering their swamp laden roots I’d welcome any- on my copy sounds thin and compressed) thing to brings on new listeners. Okay, pants on fire records but I’m by no means ready to concede anything within reason, but Lindell’s This North Carolina based quartet Call us with Your Special Orders. this a wash. Next time around I want to soulful, funk-drenched approach is an can pack more wallop and intrigue into a hear more of what makes McCormick ideal compliment to his 2006’s debut- Fast Turnaround! four song EP than some bands can into tick and not just what makes him feel which was itself a compilation of previ- Overnight Delivery in most Cases. a career. Be it the crazed tear down of nostalgic. ** ously released material- making for “promiscuous” a considerably more cohesive and or the thunder Matt Costa interesting effort. Backed by a nuts pop of “lots of and bolts three-piece tightly focused luck” the band’s Unfamiliar Faces unit there’s a bit less in the way of jangling guitars Universal Music extended jams and more precision and bass/drum Costa’s sopho- than usual. Which for the most part rumble sound more effort finds the works; the Meters-derived funk of like a hyped up singer/songwriter “It’s A Pity” bemoans post-Katrina Teenage Fanclub. Eminently listenable delving into simi- federal inequities while the deli- and always on the edge Coma La Grava is lar territory as his ciously styled rhythm and blues of the second of three proposed mini-discs: sterling 2006 debut, “Tried and True” hearkens back to I’ve already put the first on my “must Songs We Sing. The artist’s forte, likeable Curtis Mayfield. Lindell himself plays buy” list and eagerly await the third. AM radio pop behind a veneer of sonic all four bases; he’s a solid songwriter, Here’s hoping the hinted at album of twinkling is a sort of grab bag, post-alter- impressive guitarist, affecting singer, and new material isn’t far behind. Normally native rock singer/songwriter style that way better than average harmonica player. I’d want to keep this gem for myself but references Morrissey and Radiohead as Even more impressive is how easy this all today’s your star’s are aligned. Two copies readily as it does Roy Wood and Wizzard. seems to him: There’s a casualness here of Coma La Grava have come my way Costa’s Southern California bred vocal that belies how well informed the music and I’d love to share the extra. Someone style is interesting in and of itself- al- is, as if Lindell intuitively knows what he drop me a line! ***1/2 though his peculiar habit of referencing wants and how to get it. Either way it’s a a mock British accent borders on the dis- heck of a package, one which should pay Fergus McCormick tracting- but the band cooks nicely, and off big dividends for both the artist and I Don’t Need You Now such well honed tracks as “Mr. Pitiful” the label. ***1/2 and “Cigarette Eyes” are both instantly Given the somewhat reedy nature engaging and memorable. Similarly, such of his voice, as well as his tendency to atmospheric and melancholy affairs as the Shelby Lynne fall into lazy rhymes, there are plenty of Smiths like “Vienna” and the country rave Just A Little Lovin’ things to dislike about this urban folk “Never Looking Back” are moving and Lost Highway Records rockers third album. But the incessant absorbing ballads hinting that perhaps all Has it really been almost three years hooks and tune- the accolades being sent his way might yet since Shelby Lynne graced us with an ful ruminations ring true. *** album? 2005’s Suit Yourself found her about love gone in fine-if somewhat conventional-form, bad-or at least Eric Lindell writing some of her strongest mate- not as expected- rial ever. Yet if that record was seen as a along with the Low On Cash, Rich In Love watershed effort, which at the moment playful ways in Alligator Records it most assuredly was, nothing could which McCor- It should take all of two minutes to have prepared us for this. Just A Little mick welds grit- realize that Eric Lindell’s sophomore Lovin’ is a dramatic change in direction, ty perseverance to abject stubbornness, release for Alligator is a far cry from the even for an artist who has always fol- are engaging enough to almost balance usual road house blues upon which the lowed an adventurous (and some might the scales. Enamored of the sixties, the label has been built. Apparently someone say reckless) path. Suit Yourself (the first singer revels in the twin encouragement at the top of her album’s to showcase Lynne as the of Nashville Skyline Dylan and primal finally fig- primary songwriter) was a loosely con- scream Lennon (along with a bit of The ured that structed aggressive no holds barred disc Beau Brummells) with mixed results. reaching that delved deeply country, swamp rock, The arrangements may be sharp, but the outside of blues, and ballads. Just a Little Lovin’ is songwriting suffers from over familiarity the genre its’ antithesis, an unapologetic tribute to and distinct tendency to take the easy way can only Dusty Springfield that shines the spot- out. The challenge here is to take the well expand light on Lynne as arranger, interpreter, established influences and make of them their and chanteuse extraordinaire. Nine of the something new. I Don’t Need You Now success, contains no shortage of pleasantries but and while ‘CD’s’ continued much of it sounds like McCormick trying on next pg.

14 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE WHAT'S HAPPENING

Kruger Brothers at Blue Ridge Performing Arts Center by James Cassara

n the cusp of their Euro- bassist Joel the love of present the world premiere of Music pean tour the diverse ensemble Landsberg to audiences and from the spring: A Romantic Serenade known as The Kruger Brothers join them; the the respect for Banjo, Guitar, Bass & Orchestra. will make their final U.S. tour three musi- of the music Jens wrote the orchestral score for this stop performing on Sunday, cians formed industry world premiere, fulfilling a lifelong am- March 2 at 3:00 p.m. at the Blue the acoustic worldwide. bition. The concert was a tremendous ORidge Performing Arts Center in Hen- trio with the They have success, and was recorded for DVD dersonville, NC. intent of mix- performed with hopes of a 2008 release. With a Their virtuoso playing combined ing sundry with such art- world tour in the works local audiences with the manner in which they inter- musical styles ists as Willie will have the opportunity to savor the act with each other — as well as their into a unique Nelson, Bela music that has sparked the imaginations audience — has quickly garnered both mix. Fleck, Doc of so many fans. critical praise and an ever growing fan Since Watson, Gil- base. Simply put their musical style de- 1997, the lian Welch, If you go fies definition, encompassing all styles of three have ap- Nickel Creek, music through their personal individual peared regularly in the United States at Bill Monroe, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, The Kruger Brothers at The Blue Ridge development, classical European musical numerous festivals, including such pres- and Vassar Clements. Performing Arts Center located at 538 influences, and love of the American tigious events as Merlefest, Doc Watson Since moving to North Carolina North Main Street in Hendersonville, spirit. Music Fest, Festival of the Bluegrass, permanently in the fall of 2003, the NC. BRPC is a smoke-free facility fea- Born and raised in Switzerland, Jens and the International Bluegrass Music Kruger Brothers have concentrated turing an intimate 100 seat theatre. and Uwe Kruger have been performing Association annual gathering. Perfor- their efforts on performing year-round Tickets are $25 and available at Flat professionally since 1973. After playing mances at hundreds of arts council and throughout the United States. Rock Cinema, Lazy Moon Music on for twenty years throughout Europe in theater concerts plus appearances on A highlight of their career arrived Main Street, Hendersonville, or online various styles and venues the brothers, national and international radio and in June 2007 when they performed with at www.BRPAC.org and by calling Uwe on guitar and Jens on banjo, invited television have earned the Brothers the Bangor Symphony Orchestra to (828) 693-0087.

‘CD’s’ continued of Springfield’s, such as “I Only Want to all the while keeping them closer to the while “Hurricane” and “Watermelon Be with You,” are treated very differently. rhythm and blues roots that initially drew Time in Georgia” from American Son (a ten cuts are closely The poppy, bubbly Springfield them together. Unfortunately, even given more even keeled affair than its predeces- associated with version, cut when the singer was in his recent comeback with this year’s mag- sor) sound exuberant and impassioned. Springfield-whose her twenties, is slowed down to a nificent Dirt Farmer Helm’s solo career But overall both discs sound like the mu- records have long sultry crawl. Legendary Producer has been at best uneven. This sic of a highly competent bar cast a shadow across Phil Ramone deserves much of the twin offering combines a pair band and even the celebrated Lynne’s catalog-but credit. H of early and long out of print presence of such heavyweights Lynne wisely makes He might treat the songs albums, 1977’s Levon Helm as Dr. John, Steve Cropper no outright effort to with kid gloves but he apparently and the All Stars and 1980’s , Paul Butterfield, and Fred imitate the subject pushed Lynne to aim for a greater American Son, into a single tidy Carter, Jr. cannot elevate the of her adoration. audience while keeping site of package. Unfortunately neither material. Kudos must go to Her natural sense of her roots. Still, this is Lynne’s has aged well; that both albums Raven Records for collecting phrasing and rhythm are is all her own, hour, and she shines with an ambition lacked for substance and direc- these hard to find albums, and making the choice of material crucial to and verve that is startling. No offense to tion is all too obvious. Still, there while they’ve done wonders this album’s success. Choosing the best the many fine female singers that have are some genuine delights, even if you do for resurrecting interest in Helm’s post writers among the many Springfield ad- emerged over the past couple of decades- have to dig deeply to find them. “Milk Band efforts those efforts the records opted, Lynne makes a few obvious choic- and there are many-but with Just A Little Cow Boogie” from the RCO All-Stars themselves are at best interesting teasers es (Hal David/Burt Bacharach and Randy Lovin’ Lynne leaves them all looking sounds remarkably like vintage Band of what could have been. **1/2 Newman amongst them) but she wisely “Dusty.” It’s hard to say where she’ll throws some riskier shots. “Breakfast in go from her but at this moment in time is Bed,” written by Donnie Fritts and Eddie seems as if the skies the limit. ****1/2 Hinton, is given an empathetic workout John Doyle, Athena that sends shivers down the spine. Tony Levon Helm Tergis, and Mick Moloney Jones’ “Willie and Laura Mae Jones,” has With the RCO All Stars performing live at an earthiness that Lynne works to its full- + American Son The Grey Eagle Music Hall, est: Her swampy growl has just the right Raven Records sense of danger for this tale of forbidden in Asheville, NC. There’s little argument among the interracial love. Lynne gets at the lyrics Band’s most ardent admirers that Levon with all the blues and rumbling toughness Wednesday, March 5, 8 p.m. Helm was the group’s heart and soul; his her voice can muster. back porch Arkansas twang gave many Tickets $12 in advance, Newman’s “I Don’t Want to Hear of their best songs a sense of history and It Anymore” is set against a sparse piano $15 at the door. character that perfectly complimented arrangement that holds both the trace of Robbie Robertson’s compositions. As the www.TheGreyEagle.com Lynne’s native South and her new home lone American of the bunch he helped on the West Coast. Other signature pieces solidify their appeal to a larger audience,

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 15 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE Performance Asheville Choral Societies’ Lenora Thom Crafts Fascinating Thematic Programs with Superb Music hat is the source for weaving all of us — myself, the performers AND for this work: the new- the ideas of childhood, lost the audience — that opens our ears and ly-formed Celebration innocence, love, and trans- minds, and helps us to grow.” I love that Singers, directed by formation into a common challenge!” Ginger Haselden, and theme and at the same time She continues, “These are all extraor- the Black Mountain presenting a remarkable dinarily moving, rich pieces, ones that Youth Chorale, direct- concert of choral music? deserve to be heard. While the Vaughan ed by Aline Carillon. WAsheville Choral Society Music Di- Williams is somewhat well-known, the This second piece on rector Lenora Thom delights in this chal- Finzi and the Nielsen are hardly ever Manuel (Manny) the program will also lenge for every concert, and the buzz on performed in this country. The ACS will Medeiros feature, along with Mr. the streets is the performances on March join with two internationally-renowned Mercer, guest soprano 8 and 9 are not to be missed. soloists and a first-rate orchestra in of- Elizabeth Keusch. Impressed with a work by Gerald fering this rare opportunity to hear three The grand finale in this Asheville Finzi performed by the ACS last season, stunning masterpieces. I urge music- Choral Society concert will be Toward Lenora searched for other choral mu- lovers to attend — I the Unknown Region. The composition sic by the British composer and chose promise you’ll be so helped establish British composer Ralph Asheville Choral Society Music Director Intimations of Immortality drawn from glad you did!” Vaughan Williams as a major voice in Lenora Thom the famous Ode by poet William Word- Finzi, known for English music. sworth. Armed with a possible theme of his exceptional ability The Asheville Choral Society is in its Carolina. Appointed in 2000, Music the different stages of life, she decided to marry poetry with 31st year of bringing innovative, challeng- Director Lenora Thom has presided over to program two additional works based music, chose Word- ing choral masterpieces to Western North a period of unprecedented growth. For on life’s progressions: Carl Nielsen’s sworth’s beautiful Ode information about concerts, donations, Hymnus Amoris is a piece on the various for this, his greatest concert sponsorships, ads and auditions, stages of love, and Toward the Unknown Sue Larmon choral work. Intima- We Forgot to Mention... contact ACS at www.ashevillechoralsoci- Region by Ralph Vaughan Williams is tions of Immortality masterfully explores, ety.org or (828) 299-9063. based on the transformative poetry of in both exquisite poetry and remarkably Rapid River’s February cover fea- Walt Whitman. expressive music, the journey from child- tured a photo of the Asheville Choral Society taken by If you go And there you have it: “Passages hood into adulthood: from innocence photographer – Reflections of the Stages of Life.” and creativity, through the loss of each, to Lynne Harty. “Passages” will be performed on Saturday, “But why not go for the ‘Hits’?” one ultimate maturity and wisdom. A central March 8, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March might ask. “Beethoven’s Ninth? Mozart’s theme in the work is Nature’s role in Pictured from 9, at 4 p.m. at Central United Methodist Requiem? Why not choose works that are helping us re-connect to our forgotten left to right are: Church, 27 Church Street, in downtown more famous?” selves. Tenor Gregory Mercer will be the David Nelson, Asheville. “I am drawn to lesser-known works guest soloist for this piece. Audrey Gilmore, Single tickets are $20 for adults and $15 such as these because they are not overly Carl Nielsen considered Hymnus Stuart Littleton for students, and may be purchased online familiar, and they are so very, very com- Amoris (“Hymns of Love”) to be his and Betsie Stock- at www.ashevillechoralsociety.org or by pelling,” Lenora responds. “There’s a greatest triumph. Two children’s chorus- slager. phone at (828) 299-9063. Group rates are sense of newness, the joy of discovery, for es will join the Asheville Choral Society also available.

March at NCSC – Something For Everybody by Roxane Clement Moonlight and Magnolias Selznick and Fleming are forced to act of theatre. Scripts are fifteen original works of art, and it’s fun, out the story while he types. The results accepted an hour before cheap and like nothing else in Asheville. Moonlight And Magnolias by Ron are a side-splitting farce, with more than show time, then they’re Since starting in a pickup truck in Iowa Hutchinson will continue at the North a sentimental nod to the golden age of cast, rehearsed and back in 1986, this concept has spread to Carolina Stage Company through March Hollywood. put on stage in front more than thirty cities in the U.S. 9. This hilarious comedy, starring Scott of a live audience. No Treadway and Charlie Flynn-McIver If you go Shame takes the first If you go is the almost-true story of the making fifteen scripts that come of Gone With The Wind. Directed by February 20 to March 9. Wednesday–Sat- in the door at 10 p.m.; if Saturday, March 15 Ron Bashford, this play begins with the urday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:00 p.m. you’re an actor, come to the theatre by 10 $5 to participate or watch premise that Gone With The Wind is Two added performances March 1 & 8, p.m. and you’ll act. North Carolina Stage Company going to be a huge flop. Although that is 2:00 p.m. Comedy sketches, dramatic mono- (828) 350-9090, www.ncstage.org proven wrong, this comedy is inspired Tickets: Wednesdays $15; Thursdays & logues, songs, dance pieces, rants, Dadaist by true events. Sundays $22; Fridays & Saturdays $25 constructions, magicians, and every Roxane Clement is an Asheville artist and Weeks behind in shooting and al- possible performance has been known writer who has worked many years in theatres ready in debt, legendary producer David to be performed. There are only three in North Carolina, Maryland and Europe. All O. Selznick switches directors and hires No Shame Theatre rules. Pieces must be: under five minutes, local theatre groups and performance arts script doctor Ben Hecht to re-write the original, and can’t inflict physical damage schools are invited to e-mail Roxane informa- screenplay in just five days. The problem No Shame Theatre is an open on the audience or space. tion on productions and classes for inclusion is, Hecht has never read the book, and performance venue for original works No Shame is a chance to experience in this magazine, [email protected]

16 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE Performance

Images of Love and World-Fusion Music: by Jeff Davis Poet Robert Bly Brings Visionary Quest to Asheville

Legendary poet Robert Bly makes a rare Asheville appearance with the world-fusion musicians, Free Planet Radio. It’s a must-see event for all lovers of poetry and music. March 2008 Saturday, March 1, 7:00 p.m. oetry has many enticements for loved one are not specified or traditions whom he believes The Ancient Power of Chant with author those susceptible to its charms. implicit; “someone you love” articulate the deepest voices Kailash, aka Kurt Bruder, Ph.D., M.Ed. Among them, it offers intelligent may be male or female, as of the human soul, including Tuesday, March 4, 7:00 p.m. ordering of the world, the music might the speaker. There’s a Rumi, Kabir, Mirabai, the Malaprop’s proudly welcomes best-selling of language, which, given music’s tenderness, a sense of caring, Swedish poet Tomas Trans- author Chris Bohjalian. connection to emotion, provides embedded in the adjectives trömer, and Ranier Maria Wednesday, March 5, 7:00 p.m. an architecture of feeling, and image. “delicate”, “tiny”, “secluded”, Rilke. And his insight into Debbie Lee Wesselmann will present her PImage. Perhaps it’s the most intrigu- “deep”, and “secluded” also love has deepened to include new novel, Captivity. ing of poetry’s powers, since it uses a sense speaks of a recognition of the the divine love of the great other than the one it wakens, the sounds individuality of the other; mystics and ecstatics. Saturday, March 8, 12:00 p.m. Local author and educator Barbara King, and graphemes of words, to wake the whatever the relationship, When he appears in will read from and sign her children’s book. mind’s eye into vision. Whether the im- it doesn’t seem hierarchical, Asheville for a one-night age is apparently simple (William Carlos predatory, or even erotic. only performance, Bly will Thursday, March 13, 7:00 p.m. William’s “a red wheel barrow glazed with By the time of his second be providing a new perspec- Best-selling author and historian Thomas rain water,” on which so much depends) book, Light Around the Body, in 1967, tive on his spiritual journey, one that’s the Cahill reads and sign his book. or complex (“an interior sea lighted by Bly was deeply engaged in articulating a culmination of his own visionary quest. Friday, March 14, 7:00 p.m. turning eagles,: a figure by French poet vision of a world that upended the con- The poems of love he’ll read and perform Emilie Conrad, founder of the revolution- Yves Bonnefoy, translated by Galway servative social and political paradigms of with the extraordinary local world-fu- ary self-awareness and movement method, Kinnell, that Bly loves), the image has a the era (imperialist foreign policies, male- sion musicians of Free Planet Radio Continuum, will read. unique power, one that displaces us from dominated social and political structures (Chris Rosser, Eliot Wadopian, and River Saturday, March 15, 12:00 p.m. the quotidian present of our reading. built on the suppression of the feminine) Guerguerian) will speak not just of the Cactus, aka Agent 23 Skidoo. Local Throughout his long career, Robert and would honor very different powers. personal loves which it’s been the joy of musician and author Cactus comes to Bly, poet/author/translator and leader of The book contains some of the most poets to sing for thousands of years, but Malaprop’s to present his children’s book. the Mythopoetic Men’s Movement, has enduring of the many poems that had also the ecstatic love which, for poets of Wednesday, March 19, 7:00 p.m. had a unique mastery of image. In the their occasion in opposition to the Viet- vision, stands at the center of the human Dinotopia takes over Malaprop’s! Author mid-1950s, when he was coming into his nam War, then still consuming millions undertaking. I wouldn’t miss it. and illustrator James Gurney presents the own as a poet (he was born in 1926), he of men, women, and children in South- The next day, Bly will lead a writer’s latest volume in his series. abandoned the conventions of American east Asia, and thousands and thousands workshop. Both events have been orga- Friday, March 21, 12:00 p.m. academic poetry and found new models of spirits, too, here in North America. nized by the Prama Institute, a non-profit Bret Anthony Johnston, Harvard Director of for his writing. He found them first in Like the first book, it also contains poems conference and retreat center located near Creative Writing and noted author, will be the great early twentieth-century Spanish that point toward a new tenderness, a Marshall, NC. For more information, here to sign his book. poets Antonio Machado, Federico Garcia sensitivity in relationship that would have visit www.pramainstitute.org. Thursday, March 27, 7:00 p.m. Lorca, Juan Ramón Jiménez, the Chilean seemed alien to those running that war. Local authors and liscensed professional poet Pablo Neruda, the Peruvian poet Here’s “Looking into a Face”: counselors Drs. Barry and Janae Weinhold. Cesar Vallejo, and others. He translated Saturday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. all of them, and brought the energy of Conversation brings us so close! Opening If you go Kevin Brockmeier, bestselling author and their work into his own. The surfs of the body, store favorite. The images in his work, in particu- Bringing fish up near the sun, Robert Bly and Free Planet Radio reading And stiffening the backbones of the sea! Friday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 3:00 p.m. lar, glowed like huge bonfires in the dark Award-winning author David Shields reads fields of American verse. By the time he I have wandered in a face, for hours, Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place. and signs his new book. published Silence in the Snowy Fields, Passing through dark fires. Tickets: $35 and $30 (students and se- his first major collection, in 1962, his I have risen to a body niors). Info: (828) 257-4530 or online at work had already begun to provide his Not yet born, www.dwtheatre.com. 55 Haywood St. contemporaries with new ways to make Existing like a light around the body, Writer’s Workshop with Robert Bly 828-254-6734 • 800-441-9829 their poems catch fire. Here’s a short Through which the body moves Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hours: Mon-Thurs—8am-9pm poem from that book, named by its first like a sliding moon. Unitarian Church, One Edwin Place, in Fri & Sat—8am-10pm line, “Taking the Hands”: Asheville. Sun—8am-7pm In the decades since those volumes, Tickets: $95 and $85 (students and se- Taking the hands of someone you love, Bly has continued as the master of image niors) if pre-registered by March 10. You see they are delicate cages … to extend the emotional reach of his own Thereafter $125 and $100. Luncheon Tiny birds are singing work, and to translate poets from other included. To register (828) 649-9408 In the secluded prairies And in the deep valleys of the hand. Poet Jeff Davis is a board member of the Black Mountain College Museum + Art Center. It’s a poem whose image still surprises, NatureS, his book of selected poems, was published by New Native Press in 2006. His poems and which at the same time articulates a have appeared in such magazines as Lillabulero, Iron, Asheville Poetry Review, Nantahala Re- very different sense of relationship than view, and others. Davis co-produces Wordplay, a weekly radio series featuring local, regional, we’d expect to find in a poem from that and national poets, Sundays on WPVM (103.5FM) and www.wpvm.org. His weblog is at www. era. The genders of the speaker and the naturespoetry.blogspot.com. ‘Achilles’ continued on pg 20

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 17 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE BOOKS

Boone: A Biography Review by John M. Rose by Robert Morgan, A Shannon Ravenel Book, 538 pages obert Morgan’s exceptional biog- thy in a bloody, violent pe- was to establish court raphy of Daniel Boone fills a need riod in this country’s history. and start hearing both for a modern study of one of the Boone was forever fascinated criminal and civil cases. great figures in the early history and drawn to Indian culture A sheltering tree, central of the United States. It provides and woods lore. Unlike to a remote village, was a a vivid understanding of the most of his white contem- sufficient site to convene RSouthern Appalachian regions of North poraries, he held the many court. Boone himself was Carolina and Virginia. Indian tribes he encoun- both a magistrate decid- It helps to show the origins of what tered in high esteem, in ing suits and, all too often, would, one day, become the states of spite of suffering greatly at a defendant in many land Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia their hands many times. claims against him. The — undreamed of in the Colonial era. Also The enduring, dual image Founding Fathers of our unimaginable to Daniel Boone and his of the American Indian as nation would have been ap- fellow colonials is another historical event both a bloodthirsty savage and a mystical palled at present day political ef- portrayed in the book — the beginning of nobleman of the forest was introduced by forts to constrain their right to haul each the destruction of many Indian cultures Boone’s chroniclers during his lifetime. other into court. and the vast woods in which they lived. Boone was a dedicated hunter and Author Robert Morgan, now a pro- Daniel Boone, grandson of an trailblazer who, supported by land devel- fessor of English at Cornell University in English Quaker émigré, was born in opers in North Carolina, worked diligent- Ithaca, New York, was born in Hender- Pennsylvania in 1734 and died in the, ly to open the new territory of Kentucky sonville and has extensive family, academ- then, Far West of Missouri in 1820. His for settlers. It is apparent that, late in life, ic and literary roots in North Carolina. life spanned the tumultuous years of the he came to understand the sad truth that Much of his writing concerns Western American Revolution and the opening of overhunting and settlement quickly de- North Carolina, including his best-selling the southwestern frontier. He was a lead- stroyed the very primeval wilderness and novel, Gap Creek. The North Carolina ing player in dramatic events of the era Indian cultures which he so loved. Literary and Historical Association, at its and was symbolic of romantic myths held This book was eye opening for me, annual meeting in Asheville on Novem- by citizens of the new Republic. For a familiar as I am only with Western North ber 10, 2007, for which Robert Morgan humble, self-described “woodsman,” who Carolina as it appears today. I was sur- was the keynote speaker, honored him spent his life moving farther and farther prised to learn, for example, that buffalo with the R. Hunt Parker Award “for Sig- into the western wilderness, Boone was were once common in the region. They nificant Contributions to the Literature of a surprisingly well-known legend in his were prized for their meat and hides and, North Carolina.” own time. by the time of the American Revolution, Boone has been selected as the 2008 Young Daniel and his prolific, ex- they were all but gone from the new state. title for Together We Read, the annual tended family arrived in the western wilds In our time, the idea that our society community-based reading project of of the North Carolina colony to take up is plagued by excessive enthusiasm for Western North Carolina, covering 100 residence on the Yadkin River in 1755. litigation, in violation of the spirit of our event locations. Events will run from Although he would serve in various mili- independent forefathers, is promoted by June through December, 2008. tias in the French and Indian War and the politicians with a certain ideology. It was Revolutionary War, and would participate revealing to learn that Boone’s contem- John M. Rose is a free-lance writer who in various battles and skirmishes, Boone poraries were forever suing each other. reviews both books and movies for Rapid was certain he killed only one Indian over One of the first bureaucratic chores of River. the span of his long life. This is notewor- the new settlers in the western woods

Debut Novel Calling Home Review by Beth Gossett by Janna McMahan, Kensington 2008 girls her age are dealing with. Should she date a boy, Kerry, who is obviously in love with alling Home has to be one of left her in his new blue her? Should she enter Junior the most lovely and poignant Trans-Am for the town’s Miss? Take a job at the marina coming-of-age books I have read questionable beautician, and get flirty with the older in a long time. Even better is Bootsie. Will, Virginia’s guys there? Oh, the troubles $25 For All 3 Books! that, although a younger crowd oldest child, is in his senior of teenhood. (Includes autograph and S&H) could read the novel and feel year of high school, and one Calling Home is a must the emotional pull McMahan creates for of his school’s biggest hopes To order call Jaileen at (828) 488-8216. C read for anyone who enjoys a her readers, the book is just as powerful for a college scholarship Books may be picked up at Malaprops. good love story/coming-of- for those of us with a few years and a lot — which he wins to Bowling age story/penance story and more maturity on us. Green, but what is around anything else you think you In the rural town of Falling Rock, the corner for him? could get out of this book. McMahan did Kentucky, we meet the Lemmons family, Shannon, Will’s sister, is just begin- an incredible job in this debut and I look where nothing ever really seems to go ning her high school life and already forward to reading her next book. right. Virginia’s husband Roger has just facing the same big issues that so many

18 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE BOOKS

Funny Bone-Tickling Midwives, Witches and World Leaders: Poet Appears at Some Reading Choices for Women’s History Month Malaprop’s

feel much the same about Women’s Nations: In her book Bubble Opera (Car- by H. Byron Ballard History Month as I do Earth Day Creating a rot Press, NY 2007), Brooklyn-based — isn’t every month about women Caring Eco- poet Janet Fink takes life’s experi- and what we’ve done and what we do? of the favorite Asheville bumper-sticker nomics. Eisler ences, twists and shapes them into It’s thrilling to be making plans phrases: “Well-behaved women rarely is perhaps best poems that rattle the brain and tickle for the annual commemoration of make history” and she has a new book by known for her the funny bone — and make one IWomen’s History Month as the US is that title, from Knopf. seminal work think. For example: engaged in a presidential campaign that fi- From midwives to witches… I had The Chalice Obsessive Compulsive Egg-Eater nally has a serious woman candidate. I’ve the good luck to meet Sabina Magliocco and the Blade, I could understand the fellow been revisiting some favorites and am also at a conference which gave being a real goo-ball for eggs, scoping out some wicked new reading on last year and historians new craving eggs at all hours, what is called “women’s issues.” returned home to language and wanting his wife to skip town There’s an obvious connection for order and devour new ways to look so he doesn’t have to hide me with A Midwife’s Tale: The Life her book Witch- at the effects of his eggs, can eat them in bed, of Martha Ballard, Based on her Diary ing Culture: ancient cultures on our modern world. even splatter a little yolk 1785-1812, the Folklore and Eisler is a deep thinker as well as a on their crisp, new canopy… Pulitzer-Prize Neo-Pagan- clear and articulate writer — sometimes I could think his compulsion winner by Laurel ism in America. rare in this culture of sound-bites and resulted from too many years Thatcher Ulrich. Magliocco is an fluff. I came away from this book with a in his subdivision –chicken coop (I’m not related to Italian-American new respect for how cultures work and of wedlock, but for his behavior Martha so I don’t anthropologist a deep sadness about how little we value out-of-doors, in the park, tipping get a kick-back for and her work (in material terms) those things that our a robin’s nest like a glass. recommending in this volume species needs not only to thrive, but also this book.) alone clarifies to ensure survival. Eisler is one of the Funny, yes, Ballard’s the writing of most important thinkers in America today strange, yes, but diaries managed to more well-known (but less skilled) schol- and she is not read or quoted or studied doesn’t it make stay in the family ars in this emerging field. enough. Her breadth of vision is breath- you consider what for a few genera- Modern Earth religions are one of taking and her scholarship intriguing. the egg symbol- tions but finally the fastest growing religions on the planet Dancing in the Streets: A History of izes? Go ahead, ended up in the and the majority of both practitioners and Collective Joy is a hoot. Barbara Ehren- let your imagina- Maine State Library, something of a leaders in this movement are women. reich’s writing career has highlighted tion run with miracle in and off itself. Ulrich took the Magliocco is an anthropologist by train- some of the darker, more complex issues this; this lively diaries and added commentary, giving us ing and her book is fascinating and fun. that hound poet encourages a clear picture of this woman’s life and Whether you are interested in these reli- American you to do so. her work. Midwife’s Tale is in paperback gions, in feminist theology, or in modern culture. That’s Bubble Opera is a collection now and I’ve even found it at used book culture, Witching Culture is a must. why I did a of witty poems that allows the reader stores. It’s not an easy read, friends, but Last year, several books came out double-take to almost understand this woman’s it’s a quirky first-person account of an im- about re-defining and restructuring the when this book impelling sense of humor. Almost. portant and historically invisible woman. world’s economies. The best of the lot hit our shelves. One of my favorites is “Twilight Ulrich is the woman who coined one is Riane Eisler’s The Real Wealth of (It came out in Libations at Rangeley Lake” in which paperback in a moose trots by with a swing set December.) tangled in its antlers while “ the The regional clairvoyant” tells how an title tells it other dimensional fairy passes “high Memorial to Beloved Celtic Spirituality all — this is pitched farts.” This one reminds me one time you of days I have endured. Author, John O’Donohue can judge a Fink offers us no didactic book by its cover. I needed to read this poetry, no self-pity, no moraliz- Beloved fans of his work and bring one of your book and I think most of American and ing, only clever rhyming, cunning poet and favorite O’Donohue poems or quips maybe the whole dang world needs to cynicism, and bawdy humor at their mystic John or essays to share. read it, because it’s all about how vital best. From someone who considers O’Donohue John’s posthumously published joy is to living a fully human existence. poetry a ceremony, I highly recom- died unexpect- book To Bless the Space Between Us Yes, joy! Ehrenreich’s book is a history mend this book. After all, laughing is edly in Janu- (Doubleday 2007) will be available. as well as a call to action. And, happily, a strong healant! ary. Accent on Light refreshments will be served. it’s a joy to read. Review by MariJo Moore Books wants to spend an afternoon If you go Byron Ballard is a local knee-jerk feminist, If you go honoring his Tribute to John O’Donohue bookseller, writer, and mom who blogs for important work on behalf of the Asheville-Citizen Times as The Village Janet Fink reads from “Bubble Op- Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. era”, Sunday, April 6th, 3:00 p.m. Celtic spirituality and pay tribute to Accent on Books, 854 Merrimon Ave. Witch. More of her opinionated self may his spirit of “anam cara.” Join other Information (828) 252-6255. be accessed at http://blogs.citizen-times. Malaprop’s Bookstore, 555 Hay- com/blogs/index.php?blog=18 wood St., Asheville, (828) 254-6734

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 19 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE BOOKS

Candy Fund Celebrates Second Birthday Dinotopia Takes Over Malaprop’s n the lost island of plenty of time to look at Almost $5,000 in donations has been awarded to 25 Western Carolina Dinotopia, humans and all the Dinotopia books. women as the Candy Maier Scholarship Fund for Women Writers winds up its dinosaurs live together second year of operation. The women, ranging in age from their twenties to their in peace — at least seventies, have attended writing programs offered by ClarityWorks, the Great most of the time. Meet If you go Smokies Writing Program, Wildacres Writers Workshop, WNC Woman Words author/illustrator James Dinotopia author James For Writers and Writing Naked. IGurney as he presents his Gurney appears at Mala- The Candy Fund for women writers was established in early 2006, shortly latest book in the celebrated prop’s Bookstore & Café, after Candy’s untimely death in November 2005. Candy discovered her gifts as adventure series, Dinotopia: 55 Haywood in Asheville a writer as she found joy and fulfillment in participating in local writer’s work- Journey to Chandara. on Wednesday, March 19, shops, classes and retreats. In her memory, the Candy Fund awards scholarships Enter the store’s raffle at 7:00 p.m. to women writers over the age of 21 who reside in western North Carolina or to win a James Gurney For more information upstate South Carolina. print. All ages are welcome. call (828) 254-6734. Further information on Candy Fund scholarships is available by emailing Arrive early for a good seat and have Visit www.malaprops.com [email protected]. Books to Movies Advertise with Rapid River Magazine The Other Boleyn Girl: (828) 646-0071 www.rapidrivermagazine.com An Expose of Tudor England’s Nastiest Secrets ho knew? Anne Boleyn’s review by RoseLyn Katz younger sister, Mary, made her way to King Henry’s bed before her big sister and unparalleled prestige. If we think Wand went on to bear him two healthy that the sexual exploitation of some- children, a girl and a boy. one like Britney Spears is unique to Historical record our tarnished times, The confirms this and the Other Boleyn Girl, as new movie, coming a novel, confirms how out in late February, wrong we are, while stars Scarlett Johansson letting us in one some and Natalie Portman of the nastiest, most as the two sisters in salacious secrets of the rivalry. It’s based on British throne. Philippa Gregory’s The Tudor girls novel of the same name were in a losing battle. which gives a fictional After Mary’s second account of Mary’s life at pregnancy, Henry’s court that is guaranteed attention turned to to shock even the most her sister, Anne, the jaded modern reader. more conniving of Never mind that the two, and Mary Mary was a mere fourteen was reduced to the when Henry first beckoned role of handmaiden. her to his chambers. Never Anne’s fervent hope mind that both were mar- was to become ried to other people — she to one of queen herself. In this pursuit, she and Henry’s courtiers and he to England’s her family knew no shame. With fangs Queen, Katherine of Aragon. The king sharpened, they flaunted themselves was entitled to choose whomever he before the queen, unmoved by the liked to take to his bed. If she hap- lady’s desperate efforts to hold onto pened to be married, then her cuck- her husband and her throne. olded husband was expected to look The book ends as Mary stands the other way. witness to her sister’s infamous fate on As for Mary’s parents, they were the gallows. The good news is that, by delighted that their teenaged daughter this time, Mary has wised up. Read- had found such favor. Indeed, they ers will cheer her on, as I did, when had schemed and encouraged her to she leaves the court to live as her own this end for the rewards it inevitably woman for the first time in her life. showered upon them — land, titles

20 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE go see a March Movies movie For the latest reviews, theater info and movie show times, visit Good movies make you care, www.rapidrivermagazine.com make you believe in possibilities again. – Pauline Kael

March’s Guest Critics: Maybe is a pleasant diversion, replete Jimmy Carter Man people around with some genuinely heart-felt mo- ∑∑∑∑∑ Carter wherever Chip Kaufmann, film historian who also shares ments, but essentially Reynolds, Bre- from Plains he may be. He of his love of classical music as a program slin, and the rest of the cast excel in a Short Take: Astonishing uses a constantly host on WCQS-FM radio. script that ultimately lets them down. documentary that engages moving camera, you while it makes you think. Michelle Keenan, WCQS-FM fundraiser, long- Where exactly does it go wrong? stylish title graph- time student of film and believer in the magic For starters, the filmmakers try to It’s an extraordinary docu- ics throughout, of movies. make the story more interesting than mentary about one of our most and a soundtrack it actually is by turning Will’s tales of important political figures, composed for Sierra Bicking, Teen Reviewer and arte aficio- made by one of our country’s nado extraordinaire. his pre-marriage romantic forays into the film to keep a romantic mystery game. After an most accomplished filmmak- it all moving at a Haley Boram, 5th grader at Bell Elementary. unexpected sex education class, Maya ers. Yet Jimmy Carter Man fascinating clip, starts drilling Will with questions from Plains has been com- a notable accom- about his relationship with her moth- pletely ignored by the main- plishment with ∑∑∑∑∑ er. Faced with that conversation, Will stream media, so the only way subject matter -Fantastic you’re going to be able to see it Jimmy Carter Man from Plains ∑∑∑∑-Pretty darn good decides he’ll tell her the story, but that is a compelling documentary that could be- he’s going to change all the names so is when it comes out on DVD come static in less ∑∑∑ later this year. that delivers entertainment and -Has some good points she’ll have to guess which one is her thought-provoking insights. capable hands. ∑∑ mother. “Pourquoi,” you ask? I have Jimmy Carter Man from In this -The previews lied Plains follows the former president dur- ∑-Only if you must no idea. Presidential election year, everyone, As Will tells his stories, we are ing a 2006-2007 promotional tour for his young and old, needs to see this remark- M-Forget entirely introduced to his three loves. Emily controversial book Palestine: Peace Not able documentary so that they could find (Elizabeth Banks, Fred Claus) is the Apartheid. Having chosen the title of the out what should be truly important to college sweetheart he leaves behind book because he knew it would pro- America in the international climate of Definitely, Maybe ∑∑∑ in Wisconsin when he moves to New mote discussion, Carter must constantly today and vote for whichever candidate Short Take: A 30-something soon-to- York City to work on the 1992 Clin- defend the book and his belief that the comes the closest to it. be-divorced dad tells his inquisitive ton presidential campaign. April (Isla Israelis must radically change the way they deal with the Palestinians. Rated PG for thematic elements and pre-teen daughter the story of how Fisher, Wedding Crashers) is the Jane brief disturbing images. he met her mother. Eyre-loving, best-friend, confidante, In between the book signings and There’s a lot to like in Definitely, and copy girl. Summer (Rachel Weisz, the speaking engagements, we see Carter Review by Chip Kaufmann Maybe. Ryan Reynolds (Just Friends) The Constant Gardener) is an intel- with his wife Rosalyn, still living in their modest home in Plains, Georgia, helping is charming and endearing as the ligent, ambitious journalist. ∑∑∑∑ soon-to-be divorced, The story of to build homes for Habitat for Human- Persepolis 1/2 idealistic political con- each romance is ity, and speaking out whenever he can Short Take: Oscar-nominated animated sultant, Will Hayes. lovely in its own about what he sees as the failure of U.S. adaptation of best-selling graphic novel Everyone’s favorite way, and is actu- foreign policy in recent years. What about an Iranian girl’s coming of age. ‘little miss sunshine’ ally far less bloody emerges is a portrait of a man of integ- As Persepolis started, I was pleas- Abigail Breslin turns than the dating rity still going strong in his early 80s, antly surprised by the simple black and in another likeable perils, plights and fighting for and defending the things he white line style animation used to tell the performance as Will’s paramours of most believes in. story. In an era of over the top anima- daughter Maya. twenty-somethings. The impact of the film is due to the tion, there was something quite warm The movie is be- The beauty of this contributions of its director, Jonathan about these black and white drawings, ing hailed as the “Best movie is not in any Demme. Demme began his career mak- and then I realized the style reminded Romantic Comedy Dad, Ryan Reynolds, and of the romantic ing B movies like Caged Heat (1974) me of story books from my childhood. since Notting Hill daughter, Abigail Breslin, try to stories so much as it for Roger Corman and then moved on Perhaps that’s precisely what and Love Actually.” deal with his present-day divorce is in the relationship to the Academy Award winning feature Marjane Satrapi intended with both her In point of fact, the by delving into his past loves in between Will and his film Silence of the Lambs (1991). He graphic novel and this film adaptation. only thing Definitely, Definitely, Maybe. daughter. also recently made Neil Young: Heart When the carefree innocence of this pre- Maybe has in com- of Gold (2006) so he is not new to the cocious, free-spirit of a child is torn from mon with those delightfully refresh- PG-13 for sexual documentary genre. her, it is the animation which makes reference and adult language. ing romantic comedies, is that it was Demme applies his directorial skills us feel that betrayal most profoundly, produced by the same folks. Review by Michelle Keenan to visually open up the movie by including Don’t get me wrong, Definitely, several POV. shots and by focusing on the ‘Movies’ continued on pg 22

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 21 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE FILM REVIEWS ‘Movies’ continued from pg 21 Lois Weber: America’s First Woman Director and it is that which he story of Lois Weber by Chip Kaufmann thoroughly is one of the saddest draws us in in all of American to the story. cinema and one of Perse- the least known. One polis is the Tof two prominent women In 1916 Lois Weber was fictionalized producer-directors to emerge the highest paid director memoir of In Persepolis, an Iranian during the silent era (the co-writer girl comes of age in other was French born in the world, earning and direc- a hostile world. It’s a Alice Guy-Blache, who has $5,000 a week. tor Marjane universal story told in a a similar story), Weber was Satrapi. The unique way. in her time considered to be story spans the equal of silent film legend from Satrapi’s young childhood to early D.W. Griffith. adulthood. “Marji” is happy child with a In 1916 she was the fertile imagination, growing up in a loving, highest paid director in the progressive, cosmopolitan Iranian family world, earning $5,000 a week. Lois Weber wrote her last screenplay in 1934, in Tehran. Her happy childhood begins to She had total control over White Heat, about racial tension in Hawaii, which unravel with the political revolution which the content of her films and she also directed. brings down the Shah of Iran. tackled such controversial Instead of glossing over what’s hap- topics as religious material- Western Union.” Jazz pening in their world, Marji’s parents ism (Hypocrites, 1915), drug Age audiences of the actually engage the child in conversa- addiction (Hop, The Devil’s 1920s wanted entertain- tion, explain things to her, and introduce Brew, 1916), abortion and ment not enlighten- concepts to her. It is two other relatives birth control (Where Are My ment. 1930s Depression however that seem to have the most Lois Weber and actress Billie Dove. Children? 1916), and capital audiences wanted escap- They made two films together, The impact on her. Marji’s revolutionary punishment (The People vs ism and it has been the Marriage Clause (2916) and Sensation Uncle Anouche shapes her political and John Doe, 1917). same ever since. Seekers (1927). philosophical ideology, while her grand- Weber believed that mother, “Mami” (voiced by Danielle movies should educate as Lois Weber often acted Darrieux) shapes her sociologically and as well as entertain, but knew in the early movies an individual. that you can’t do one with- that she also wrote and Screening on March 16 directed. The movie is often at once humor- out the other. Most of her The Hendersonville Film Society ous and sad. When an act of rebellion is films are an interesting mix will screen Lois Weber’s 1921 fea- buying bootleg copies of Iron Maiden, of both, although today’s ture “Too Wise Wives” along with and songs such as “The Eye of the Tiger” audiences would find her The Blot (1921), about Alice Guy-Blache’s 1914 short “A become an anthem for an emotionally early films heavy-handed and the transformative House Divided” on Sunday, March hurt young woman, it’s funny, but also her later films uneventful as power of kindness, 16 at 2pm in the Smoky Mountain gives it a more substantive context. they concentrate on story and was Lois Weber’s most Theatre at Lake Point Landing in Ultimately Persepolis shows us the character instead of action or famous film. Hendersonville. ridiculousness of conflict and bigotry by spectacle. For more information contact reminding of the oneness of life. Despite By 1921, when Too Wise Only in the past Elaine Ciampi at (828) 697-7310. our cultures, countries, and circum- Wives (which influenced few years has a proper stances, the common bonds of life--the Ernst Lubitsch’s American evaluation of Lois We- emotional experiences of childhood, of films) and her masterpiece, ber begun to take place, coming of age, of simply being human– The Blot , were released, with four of her feature are universal. Chip Kaufmann is Weber’s career was already in films (Hypocrites, president of the Hen- Subtitles: In French with English decline. Within a few years Where Are My Chil- dersonville Film Society subtitles. she would lose her studio, dren?, Too Wise Wives, and a film buff from Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material her husband, and the opportunity to The Blot) now available on home video. the age of 10. including violent images, sexual refer- direct. She died in 1939 at the age of 60 Seek them out and discover for ences, language and brief drug content. and within a few years was completely yourself why she was once known as He also hosts classi- cal music programs on Review by Michelle Keenan forgotten along with most of her films. “the female D.W. Griffith.” To find out Why did this happen? The primary more about Lois Weber, read Anthony WCQS 88.1 FM radio: reason was the rise of the Hollywood Slide’s informative biography Lois We- Thursday evenings, 7:00-10:00pm and studio system and the men who ran it. ber: The Director Who Lost Her Way Sunday afternoons, 2:00 to 4:00pm. Coming Soon... They were almost all Eastern European In History. immigrants who brought an Old World Be Kind, Rewind patriarchal attitude with them. Women Horton Hears a Who could be stars (which made the studios big money) or writers (who could be The Other Boleyn Girl controlled), but little else. Should you spend your money on a recent theatrical released U2 3D Another reason can be summed up movie that’s now out on DVD? Check our previous movie reviews Vantage Point in the famous Samuel Goldwyn quote, “If you want to send a message, call at www.rapidrivermagazine.com.

22 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE FILM REVIEWS Hendersonville Film Society Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: by Chip Kaufmann Best of Both March 2008 Worlds Concert arch is Women’s History Month and outside the home. Featuring Claire Tour ∑∑1/2 and to celebrate, the Hender- Windsor and Louis Calhern. Bonus: The sonville Film Society will fea- 1914 short A House Divided from Alice Short Take: A kid’s ture the work of six American Guy-Blache. concert movie that women doesn’t hit any high Director: Lois Weber. 1921 USA Silent notes. directors with music score Black and White 79 Mfrom 1914 to 1999. The Hannah minutes. Montana/Miley March 2 Cyrus 3-D concert March 30 “sensation,” as it was Dance, Girl, Titus Dance built up to be, was Shakespeare’s first not sensational. I Dorothy Arzner play Titus Andronicus, was classic Holly- definitely don’t think about a loyal Roman it was worth $15. wood’s only major general’s fall from female director. This As Hannah/Mi- Eleven-year-old film reviewer Haley Boram (second from grace, is transformed ley paraded around left) and her friends had a variety of opinions on whether B movie of ballet by acclaimed director dancers who go into the concert stage she or not the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus concert film was Julie Taymor (Across The Universe) into worth the super-high ticket price. burlesque to survive features a feminist a highly original and visually stunning film didn’t have enough sensibility rarely seen during the 1930s experience. Titus mixes past and present breath to sing as and 40s. It stars Maureen O’Hara, but the as well as various movie genres to create a fantastic as usual. Apparently, choreographer Kenny Ortega didn’t plan that one out. film belongs to Lucille Ball as a streetwise harrowing portrait of betrayal and revenge Go figure. performer with a cynical acceptance of that features intense performances from One friend said she was disappointed too; mean- what it means to be a woman in a man’s Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange. Also while another one loved it because it had the teen boy- world. Also starring Louis Hayward and starring Alan Cumming and Harry Lennix. band the Jonas Brothers. Friends that went to her live Ralph Bellamy. Bonus: Walt Disney’s concert thought the two had no resemblance because 1938 cartoon: Ferdinand The Bull. Director: Julie Taymor. 1999 USA Color 169 minutes the Jonas Brothers didn’t appear enough and Hannah/ Director: Dorothy Arzner. 1940 USA Miley sang better live. Black and White 89 minutes. Although the movie was not impressive, the the- If you go ater was packed. There were kids dressed up as Hannah March 9 Montana with wigs, microphones, and shirts. This was Hendersonville Film Society Screenings, my first time seeing a 3-D movie and that was amaz- Hester Street Sundays at 2pm. Smoky Mountain The- This 1975 atre in the Lake Pointe Landing Retire- ing because my friends and I kept screaming when we independent film ment Community. 333 Thompson Street, thought things on the screen were going to fly out and launched the career right behind the Epic Cinemas hit us. Overall, I’d say stick with Miley’s Disney show of Joan Micklin Silver For more information call (828) 697-7310. and buy her double CD. That would be the best of (Crossing Delancey) Open to all. Donations accepted. both worlds. Rated G Review by Haley Boram and earned Carol Kane an Oscar nomination. She plays a young Jewish wife who follows her husband to TEEN REVIEW by Sierra Bicking America at the turn of the 20th century only to discover that he has rejected his old life and taken up with another Spiderwick Chronicles book telling of mystical packed with action and special effects woman. Also starring Steven Keats and ∑∑∑∑ creatures living all around and having a simple but interesting plot, him. He realizes too late was a pretty good kid’s movie. However, Doris Roberts. Bonus: Cleo Madison’s Short Take: A young boy 1916 short Eleanor’s Catch. that opening the book was as I left the theatre I heard a little boy finds a book that unveils a a huge mistake and that exclaim, “I hated it!” So it may not be Director: Joan Micklin Silver. 1975 USA mysterious magical world of he must now make sure suitable for younger children. Indeed, In English and Yiddish with subtitles creatures around him. the book’s power doesn’t it does have some slight violence, and Black and White 90 minutes. Mix together the stories fall into the ogre can be really scary. The Bridge to Terebithia, Film critic the hands Even so, The Spiderwick March 16 Inkheart, and The Chronicles Sierra Bicking of darker Chronicles is a great adven- Too Wise Wives of Narnia, then add a dash of lives in Asheville. creatures, ture movie for anyone who Harry Potterish music, and especially the likes their movies a little bit Lois Weber was one of the most –voila!– you’ve got The Spiderwick admired directors of American films from evil ogre Mulgarath (Nick ogre-dramatic. Chronicles! Nolte, Peaceful Warrior). 1913-1921 and was once the highest paid The Spiderwick Chronicles tells Rated PG for scary creature film director in the world. Of her 50 (Hmm, I wonder if he action and violence, peril the story of an unhappy family that knows Shrek…?) feature films, only a handful remain, with moves into an old, creepy house recent- and some thematic elements. Too Wise Wives being one of the best. The Spiderwick ly abandoned by a distant relative. In a Chronicles evokes a variety This droll domestic comedy anticipates hidden room, the youngest of the fam- Spiderwick Chronicles – the American films of Ernst Lubitsch and of opinions from viewers. Magical, mysterious, scary ily, Jared Grace (Freddie Highmore, I thought the film, being examines the roles women play inside August Rush), discovers a mysterious and fun.

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 23 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE The ARTFUL Home

Fashion Prevails, Even With Paint by Roxane Clement

n the film “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Pensive Sky” or “Fading Sunset” have Meryl Streep’s character chastises For want of a better taken over for the subtle shades, and Ann Hathaway for her flippant at- term, the look of home “Painted Turtle,” “Winter Lake” or “Red titude towards fashion, and reminds Tomato” denote the stronger tones. If her that whatever she chooses to fashion is becoming you look for lavender or green, you’ll wear, even if in the spirit of ignoring more organic. find “Evening Sky” or “Spanish Moss.” Ifashion, has been chosen for her by rule- These names are certainly intended to makers such as herself. That phenom- evoke feelings of oneness with the world enon, of which most of us are blithely come pretty unnerving when one wants around us. Just painting your walls aware, is true in the case of decorating to grab a certain color for the base coat of “Dune Tan” may make you feel as if you fashion as well. a particular wood grain or marble, but it’s are at the beach! Having developed a solid addiction to just as bad if you want to match or re-cre- The fashion for paint techniques the paint departments of home improve- ate any look. is changing as well. Almost universally, ment stores, I have watched colors appear The names being given to paints broken color techniques are becoming and disappear, or get re-named according these days seem to reflect our growing to the prevailing mindset. That can be- interest in the environment. Names like

I have watched colors Professional Decorative Painter appear and disappear, Roxane Clement of Asheville. or get re-named Say hello to 35,000 Decorative painter Roxane Clem- according to the ent spent ten years in Raleigh, NC prevailing mindset. as a theatre set painter and lighting of our closest friends! designer. She graduated with distinc- tion from the prestigious Decorative Restoration Program of the City and more smudged, softened and distressed. Guilds of London Institute at A-B Tech Advertise with 'Rapid River Magazine' Pretty much gone are the sharply defined and taught Decorative Painting there and easy to recognize rag-rolling and for two years. sponging; these are now generally worked She has worked on numerous restora- IT WORKS JUST LIKE THAT and softened with cheesecloth or other tion projects in Asheville including the rags. The techniques are still there, but Smith-McDowell House, the Biltmore an element of subtlety has been added. Estate, and the A-B Tech library. Her The ruinous look of cracked and peeling decorative painting business special- plaster has been around for a long time, izes in stone effects and wood grain- (828) 646-0071 but seems to be making its way into more ing. Contact her at Rmclement2001@ and more decorating magazines. aol.com One effect that has probably been www.rapidrivermagazine.com transformed more than any other is the old familiar stencil. These days stencils are now generally worked to appear aged School Musical” or “Pirates of the Carib- and faded rather than crisp and neat. A bean.” The edges are hard and clear and stencil, after it is applied, frequently gets the colors highly defined. sanded down or softened with a layer of For these rooms, rolls of painter’s translucent glaze. For want of a better tape take the place of rags and sponges, term, the look of home fashion is becom- because blocks and stripes of bold ing more organic. color break up the walls. If stencils are The wonderful thing about this used, they cover entire doors or create trend is that it allows for much more a seascape or forest. Maybe I’m get- scope and individual style. I think it will ting old, but it is a bit disturbing to me tend to make people much more inter- that children are feeling the need to be ested in experimenting with techniques so constantly entertained. Now, if they because the rules, along with the styles, painted the rooms themselves, that would have been blurred. be different! The one area of decorating where For now, I’ll continue to write about this doesn’t seem to be the case, however, techniques for adults, and, in the spirit of is children’s rooms, where clear, bright following fashion, my next article will be colors still prevail. Hunting for paint about creating an aged parchment effect. chips for some teen rooms I’m working on, I headed for the “Disney” colors now Next Issue: available. For teens, the themes are “High Parchment for walls or furniture

24 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE STAGE PREVIEW Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place and The NC Arts Council “Cartwheels” Program Present

Carolina Ballet’s Peter and the Wolf by John Ellis he North Carolina Arts Council let, has created all new choreography to program “cARTwheels” is designed to “cARTwheels” program and the the very familiar score by Sergei Proko- enhance student learning in the arts. Diana Wortham Theatre School fiev for Peter and the Wolf. Since it was “Research shows that early exposure Shows Series presents Carolina composed in 1936, this music has become to the arts helps students achieve both Ballet in the classical ballet Peter a staple for children’s first introduction academic success and intellectual and and the Wolf with two perfor- to classical music around the world. The personal growth,” Evans said. “Students Tmances, 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on music is accompanied by the narration of involved with the arts score higher on Tuesday, April 15. a story in which each character is repre- SATs and gain basic skills critical for later Adapted to the stage for elementary sented by an instrument and a theme. success in school, work and life.” The school audiences, this adaptation of Peter In Carolina Ballet’s production, the program funds some of the state’s finest and the Wolf introduces young audiences ballet is performed to Prokofiev’s version theater, opera and ballet companies in to concepts of classical music and ballet, of the score for solo piano, and the story performances for elementary school chil- while bringing an enchanting story to life is told through the choreography, with a music of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky – Rib- dren across rural North Carolina. on stage. Recommended for students in narrator explaining how a ballet is made. bon Candy, Tea (Chinese) and the Sugar Under the banner, “cARTwheels,” Grades 3-5, the Peter and the Wolf per- Weiss explains that he has amended the Plum Fairy pas de deux. Carolina Ballet’s Arts on the Move, the program showcases formances are for school libretto slightly so that Nutcracker, sponsored by Progress Ener- the magic and wonder of music, dance, groups; performances are each character (Peter, the gy, premiered in 2001 and was an instant costumes and sets to schools in fully free and bus stipends are Wolf, Bird, Duck and success. The second act of Nutcracker staged performances adapted for younger available. Cat, plus the Grand- offers a kaleidoscope of different dances, audiences. The Peter and the father) is represented representing different sweets and differ- Wolf touring program in- by the theme only. He ent foreign countries at the same time. cludes curriculum based says “I thought it would The music for Ribbon Candy may be the If you go education materials to be amusing to have most familiar to the children of the three help teachers prepare stu- the dancer who is the Carolina Ballet presents a free kids-length sections as it is heard very often in adver- classical ballet: Peter and the Wolf. dents for the performance Grandfather also be the tisements during the Holiday season. and explore connections narrator and play the Recommended for 3rd, 4th, and 5th between the performance choreographer of the grade audiences. Mainstage School Shows and their schoolwork. ballet as well.” About the NC Arts Council’s Series. Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack The performances are The second part of “cARTwheels” Project Place, 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, Tues- high quality, fully staged the program is made up day, April 15, 2008. productions with sets, of three dances from Conceived by Lisbeth C. “Libba” For more information contact Director of costumes and music. Act II (The Land of Evans, Secretary Department of Cultural Education and Outreach Rae Geoffrey at Robert Weiss, artistic the Sweets) of Robert Resources, and implemented by the (828) 257-4544 x307, or rae@dwtheatre. director of Carolina Bal- Weiss’ Nutcracker to the North Carolina Arts Council, the touring com or visit www.dwtheatre.com.

Schoolhouse Rock Live! at Asheville Community Theatre by Jenny Bunn sheville Community Theatre is students over with imagination and mu- by Chris Martin, who is making his ACT excited to present the rollicking, sic, through such beloved Schoolhouse directorial debut. He teaches at Jones infectious musical Schoolhouse Rock songs as “Just A Bill,” “Lolly, Lolly, Elementary School, where he has been Rock Live!, with book by George Lolly” and “Conjunction Junction.” named Teacher of the Year, and directs Keating, Kyle Hall and Scott The Emmy Award-winning 1970s their annual theatrical productions. Cho- Ferguson and lyrics and music by Saturday morning cartoon series that reography is by McKenzie Kanipe and ABob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, George taught history, grammar, math, science musical direction is by Linda Walker. The Newall, Kathy Mandry, Lynn Ahrens and and politics through clever, tuneful songs set is designed by Scott Allred, with light- Tom Yohe. instructs a whole new generation to ing design by Rob Berls, and costume Schoolhouse Rock Live! features a “Unpack Your Adjectives” and “Do The design by Linda Underwood. cast of adults and children, and is a show Circulations.” geared for the entire family. Opening on Schoolhouse Rock Live! features Performance to Benefit Eliada Friday, March 7 at 8:00 p.m. and run- an amazing cast of ACT veterans and ning for three weekends through March newcomers, including a mother and two On Thursday, March 6 at 8:00 p.m, 23, performances will be held on Friday of her daughters who are all three making Asheville Community Theatre will host a If you go nights at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sun- their ACT stage debuts! Robert Shupe special opening night showing of ‘School- Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for students day afternoons at 2:30 p.m. On Opening (Beauty and the Beast), Michael Cheek house Rock- Live’ to benefit Eliada and seniors (over 60), and $12 for children Night, a pre-show complementary cham- (Miss Gulch Returns!), Carly Crawford, Homes for Children. Tickets are avail- (17 and under). Tickets may be purchased pagne and punch reception will be held. Dylan Murray, Robin Tynes (The Wizard able at a reduced price of $15 for adults, online at www.ashevilletheatre.org, over Schoolhouse Rock Live! centers on of OZ) and Susan Babelay star. Join- $12 for seniors, and $10 for children, the phone by calling the ACT Box Office Tom, a nerve-wracked school teacher ing them in the ensemble are Lora Kole, students, and groups of 10 or more. The at (828) 254-1320 or in person at the Box nervous about his first day of teaching. Shaunna Wild, Elizabeth Babelay, Re- event will also feature a family-friendly Office, located at 35 East Walnut Street. Tom is trying to relax when various char- bekah Babelay, Avery Hind, Sam Bible- reception at 7:00 p.m. featuring nostalgic Box Office hours are 10:00 am – 4:00 pm acters representing facets of his personal- Sullivan and Cat Jennings. treats such as root beer floats, old-fash- Monday – Friday. For more information, ity emerge and show him how to win his Schoolhouse Rock Live! is directed ioned candies, and much more. please call (828) 254-1320.

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 25 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE Music scene The Mighty Winds of Giannini Chris Austin Songwriting Contest Brass to Blow at Patton Auditorium

xpect an afternoon of “European by Robert Wiley spiring songwriters, would you like the opportunity to have your original Classics” by Handel and Ros- songs heard by a panel of music industry professionals? Would you like sini, “American Classics” from a chance to perform at an internationally recognized music festival? Your the Broadway stage, music of the tuba with the Greensboro (NC) Sympho- chance is coming up, but only if you act by March 4! Renaissance, Baroque and Roman- ny David Nicholson has performed with Each year MerleFest provides songwriters with the opportunity to tic eras plus Dixieland, jazz, swing the Empire Brass Quintet and Atlantic have their original songs heard by a panel of professional songwriters and and marches when the Giannini Brass Brass Quintet. Kenneth Wilmot, trum- A Etakes the stage on Sunday, March 2 at pet, has appeared with the New World others from the Nashville music industry by participating in the Chris Austin Patton Auditorium on the campus of Blue Symphony and toured with the Tommy Songwriting Contest which will be chaired by music legend and festival-friend Dorsey and Glenn Miller Orchestras. Jim Lauderdale. The deadline for entry in the contest is March 4, 2008. Ridge Community College! Named after composer and educa- Joseph Mount, horn, has performed The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest is divided into four categories; coun- with the North Carolina, Charlotte and try, bluegrass, gospel, and general. First place winners in each category perform tor Vittorio Giannini, the founder of the North Carolina School of the Arts, the Charleston (SC) Symphonies. live on the Cabin Stage during MerleFest. All finalists will receive all-access The Mallarmé Chamber Trio will passes to MerleFest 2008, lodging during the festival, and other prizes. Giannini Brass is currently the professional brass ensemble-in-residence for the North follow on March 30. They bring a gor- Interested songwriters can find out more about the Chris Austin Songwriting geous combination of harp, flute and viola Contest by visiting www.merlefest.org or by calling the contest hotline at 1-800- Carolina School of the Arts. Its members both teach and perform with major orches- for which Debussey and other composers 799-3868, or by emailing [email protected]. Entries for the 2008 tras and on radio and television stations have written some of the most passionate Chris Austin Songwriting Contest can be submitted on line via Sonicbids. New throughout the United States and Europe. music you’ll ever hear! Sonicbids members may enter one song and obtain a six-month Sonicbids mem- The ensemble has released four record- bership for $29.95. Additional entries and entries by existing Sonicbids members ings: Big-Shot Brass, Christmas with the are $25. For more information: www.sonicbids.com/chrisaustinsongcontest. Giannini Brass, Baroque Banquet and Mit If you go Net proceeds from the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest go to support the Freuden zart (With Tender Joy): Moravian All Hendersonville Chamber Music Con- mission and purpose of Wilkes Community College. Chorales for Brass. certs take place on Sunday afternoons at 3 All five performers boast excep- PM in Patton Auditorium of Blue Ridge tional credentials. Anita Cirba is princi- Community College in Flat Rock. pal trumpet of both the Winston-Salem Tickets are $ 17 and can be purchased at and Greensboro Symphony Orchestras. the Hendersonville Visitors Center, Fox- Trombonist Chris Ferguson has per- fire Gallery in Laurel Park, or at the door formed with touring Broadway produc- on day of performance. Students admitted tions and big bands as well as major free. Call (828) 697-0455 or (828) 890- symphony orchestras. Currently principal 4411 for more information.

Who or What is Cryptacize? he enigmatically named Bay Area by James Cassara trio known as Cryptacize bring their own sound smorgasbord to Asheville for a first ever perfor- indie-pop isn’t all that cryptic, considering mance at The Grey Eagle. that Cohen and Torrisi have worked to- The band; comprised of gether extensively. The pair first collabo- Chris Cohen (The Curtains) on gui- rated on Cohen’s Curtains project (Torri- T si contributed vocals on 2006’s Calamity) tar and vocals, Nedelle Torrisi (former Kill Rock Stars artist, The Curtains) before the pair discovered percussionist on autoharp, strings, guitar, vocals and Michael Carreira via, of all things, a video more, and Michael Carreira on drums are of himself playing cowbell on YouTube. crisscrossing the county in support of the They subsequently recruited him and, a recently released Dig That Treasure. They year later, launched the band. describe their debut album as “inspired by Cryptacize signed to Asthmatic Kitty the larger-than-life emotions of West Side Records and released their debut album Story and the joyful percussive guitar gos- in February of this year. So while it’s been pel of Sister Rosetta Tharpe with a bit of a somewhat contorted path there is no The Wizard of Oz’s bittersweet escapism.” doubt the three are here to stay. Listeners Toss in the other-world sentimental- will get to decide for themselves whether ity of Sun Ra’s Spaceship Lullaby, and the music has that same resilience. Henry Cowell’s ethereal piano string strumming and you can only imagine the delightfully borderline schizophrenia that If you go permeates the bands sound. The vocals Cryptacize, as opening for Why? at The may be soothing but the music can be at Grey Eagle. Wednesday, March 19th, 9 times both mesmerizing and disorienting, p.m. $7, standing room only. Advance albeit in a good way. tickets available online, at local outlets and In truth their elliptical, experimental through Static Age Records.

26 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE ARTFUL LIVING

Watching The River Flow “No matter what gets in the way or which way the wind does blow… I’ll just sit here and he Taoist roots of Zen by Bill Walz Buddhism place great watch the river flow.” – Bob Dylan emphasis on what is important things to do”, called “non-doing”. Now walk along its banks. At forever the same. So too our Sitting on the banks, watching the non-doing is not to be some point, we may minds. Watch the currents river flow, we can know our own mind, confused with doing sit (if the weather and the eddies. See where our own life, our own beginning and des- Tnothing. It is not passivity. is right and there the river is shallow and fast tiny, a drop of consciousness in the great It is about not doing what- is a handy place to and where it is deep and sea of consciousness. We do not mistake ever comes first into your mind sit) but soon, our Bill still. The mind is much like what is floating past in the river for the in favor of allowing the moment Walz mind is racing to that. Listen to the river. It river. Why then do we mistake what is to inform you about what it needs many places other laughs and sighs, weeps and floating past in our mind for our mind before you act, and then to act than the river, and celebrates; it con- or for who we are? Sit. Take some time from the place that Buddhists call we will get up tains all the sound to watch the river flow, and then you’ll the “whole mind”. This gives rise to what and continue on our in the world in its know. You’ll come to know your whole is termed, “skillful action”. way having given no gentle rivulets and mind and who you are and what needs A very great lesson to be learned is consideration to the rushing torrents. It doing and what needs non-doing. You’ll that most of the time, what is needed of secrets of the river. begins in the rain come to know your source and your des- us is nothing. Most of the time, the mo- Zen instructs us to and snow, touching tiny. You’ll learn how to maneuver your ment only needs us to continue taking in go to the river, sit, the earth high in journey skillfully. Just from watching the the moment. When the moment needs and watch and the mountains, river flow, “no matter what gets in the us, it will let us know, and from our listen to it flow. becoming little way or which way the wind does blow.” whole mind, the mind that blends and There is much trickles, mov- balances our senses and thoughts with to be learned. ing relentlessly, our feelings and deeper intuition, we will We learn that growing in breadth and know what needs doing and how to do it. the river exists out there, and it exists in Bill Walz is a UNCA adjunct faculty depth, to its returning to the sea, and then member and a private-practice teacher But beware of that first impulse. It comes here, in our minds. Like when objects to vapor to begin the journey again. In a of mindfulness, personal growth and from our conditioned mind, the mind of appear floating in the river, so too, the single drop is its own beginning, its jour- consciousness. He holds a weekly medita- ego, and gets us into a great deal of awk- objects in our minds, our thoughts, ap- ney, end, and new beginning. So too, we tion class, Mondays, 7pm at the Friends wardness, even pain, trapped in swirling pear and pass before our gaze and then begin and end, journeying along the way Meeting House, 227 Edgewood. back currents. float on. We mistake this passing flotsam appearing in many stages, to return to our A special extended meditation and discus- When sitting by the river, just sit and for who we are. In any given moment, Source and begin again. In the deepest sion event will be at the Meeting House, watch the river flow. How many of us can whatever floats through the river of our pool of our mind we know this truth, but Saturday, April 19, 1-5pm. Info on classes actually do this? First, most of us don’t minds, we experience, “this is me”. Not we so easily lose track of it in the rapids of and personal growth and healing instruc- ever sit by a river at all. We drive past it. A so. Not any more than the passing objects our life, rushing along, crashing through tion or phone consultations at (828)258- few may, if it’s a beautiful day, and there in the river are the river. the rocks, the obstacles that direct and 3241, or e-mail at [email protected] . is a nice path, and they don’t have “more The river is forever changing and channel our journey. Visit www.billwalz.com

HEALTH FACTS: Time to Pinch Off the Salt by DeWayne Butcher, MD

ne in three Americans has nizations, to reduce the amount of salt the agency to end sodium’s “safe” status sociation and others are simply arguing hypertension (high blood pres- added to foods. and treat salt as a food additive subject to for bringing salt levels within the healthy sure). The condition puts them The over consumption problem more regulation. range. The risks are so high that the time at greater risk of developing isn’t caused by the salt shaker at the din- The AMA policy also calls on for action is now. two of the country’s major kill- ner table. The sprinkle on the plate and the FDA and manufacturers to work 4 Seventy percent of meals eaten in the ers — heart disease and stroke. the pinch added during cooking account toward a 50% reduction of the amount United States are eaten outside the OExcess salt increases a person’s for only 5% to 10% of a typical person’s of sodium in processed foods, fast foods home. chances of getting high blood pressure. sodium intake. The main culprits are and restaurant meals over 10 years. 4 Research shows that 95% of men and restaurant and processed foods – respon- Achievement of this goal could save at Almost no American homes process 75% of women consume more than 5.8 sible for 75% of salt in the American diet. least 150,000 lives annually. It also calls their own food; the food comes pro- grams of sodium a day. (The healthy The reality means that strict lim- for the FDA to improve labeling and cessed by manufacturers. level of sodium intake is 1.5 grams a its on salt in restaurant and processed develop front-of-package warnings for 4 Seventy-five percent of the excess so- day.) foods are needed. (For the last two high-salt foods. dium intake is from processed foods, “The deaths attributable to excess years) the AMA (has recommended) Organizations opposed to more fast foods and restaurant foods sodium intake represent the equivalent that the Food and Drug Administra- regulations argue that sodium is neces- 4 A high sodium intake leads to high of a jumbo jet with more than 400 adults tion revoke the “generally recognized as sary for food safety and would not be blood pressure which leads to heart crashing every day of the year,” noted safe” status of sodium. This move would easy to replace in processed foods. Re- disease and stroke – and over 750,000 Stephen Havas, MD, MPH, American allow the agency to develop regulatory ducing salt too much can have negative preventable deaths every year. Medical Association vice president for measures to restrict the amount of salt health effects. Did you read it? Even without the science, quality and public health. in processed foods. The FDA is weigh- Advocates for salt restriction recog- regulations of the FDA, you can do The link between salt and hyperten- ing this approach now as the result of a nize sodium’s importance in the human something about this ‘Nuff said. sion has led to a call by the AMA, along legal petition by the Center for Science diet and as a food preservative. The with other health and consumer orga- in the Public Interest (which is asking) AMA, the American Public Health As-

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 27 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE REstaurants & Wine Good Mess, Bad Mess – Why Dirty Glasses Sometimes Look So Good by Michael Parker The Good Mess What is it about represent the useful the bottles? (Spare things that are the March Events at In my dining room hangs a painting me the stale Freudian tools for good sensa- of ordinary objects. Very ordinary - dirty explanation, please, tions and good times. the Weinhaus wine glasses and empty bottles on a tray. because that’s got They have our hearts Reservations are required for these Asheville artist Vadim Bora painted it nothing to do with because they serve in 1999 and called it After the Party. I events unless otherwise noted. Call it.) These shapes our taste buds and the Weinhaus at (828) 254-6453. R wanted it the instant I saw it. represent good times. any memory con- Bora is actually far, far better known While we may not nected to them. Tuesday, March 4, 7 p.m. for his distinct style of portraits and even be thinking landscapes, but this image captures one of The Lobster Trap will provide a about it, the fact that The Bad Mess meal of fresh offerings from the sea: my favorite sights: the mess I see left over we smile at the sight after a good time. There still oysters on the half shell, sashimi of these images is an looms, however, the tuna, caviar and other delicacies. In 1999, just before discovering the assurance that we are painting, I solo-hosted my first five- threat of a dark side Paired with sparkling and still wines, a part of the civilized to all this fun. There the Weinhaus will provide wines course wine dinner at my table for nine world. We know guests, and we emptied fifteen wine was once a cel- designed to compliment the menu. where we can find the ebrated wine writer, Price is $75 all inclusive. bottles. We got all the plates and cut- pleasure and the fun. lery cleaned that night, but I wanted “New Wine” by Beth Boone a prodigy, whose In one of my lifelong relation- Tuesday, March 11, 7 p.m. the glasses left on the table. (The most three favorite paintings, Le Déjeuner willing-to-help guests still had a bottle ship with wine and enviable career came Low Country/High Class Feast at Ed d’Huitres (Lunch Oysters) by Jean-Fran- crashing down hard. Boudreaux’s Bayou Barbeque. “Low and a half in them, and nice wine glasses çois de Troy, expended oyster shells litter Country” cuisine prepared with a require sober cleaners.) The next morn- In 1984, English wine expert Alice the floor with straw, dirt, baskets, and King was deputy editor of Decanter Mag- modern flair and accompanied by ing, there were exactly fifty dirty glasses empty Champagne bottles. Even though your choice of wine and beer pro- on the table. It was a glorious sight. I had azine at age 22, and went on to publish vided by the Weinhaus. The price is the scene depicted here captures the several books on the subject. Her most to take a picture of it. aristocratic party in progress, the mess is $45 all inclusive. Imagine putting that snapshot in a recent book, to be released in mid-March, already very well established and in the describes the dark side that is the risk of frame on your buffet. It just wouldn’t Friday, March 15 foreground of the painting. In this image, living a life that revolves around wine. look right. On canvas, however, the mess the most privileged men in 1735 France Come and taste the great Spanish is admirable. High Sobriety: Confessions Of A Drinker Red Wines of the year at a free tast- have said to hell with manners as they will deliver a brutally honest word of Just recently, I visited Bora’s gallery pursue oysters, and I bet they would have ing at the Weinhaus from 2-4 p.m. to view paintings of the same subject by warning about how superior talent and a paid top franc for a painting of empty dream job can still turn into a nightmare. another local artist, Beth Boone. Her shells on a plate with a tumbled glass. Wednesday, March 26, 7 p.m. series of bottles and glasses are drawn Even a passionate pursuit of wine as a A Springtime Wine Tasting Dinner Bottles and glasses, like plates (and, hobby involves some of this risk. from slightly jagged lines, part full, part for some of us, oyster shells) are also will be held at Café on the Square empty. Modulated surfaces are pushed Those of us in the restaurant and featuring their unique and time test- among our most enduring compan- wine business need this very reminder forward by cheerful, translucent colors in ions. English novelist George Meredith ed cuisine. Wines will be provided by the background. I could imagine them all that we are playing with fire. While I the Weinhaus for this special meal. summed it up via one of his wiser charac- honestly cannot imagine what I would do in a row across the wall beside my bar, in ters who said, “Kissing don’t last; cookery The price is $60 all inclusive. matching black frames. without wine at the table and beer at the do!” Indeed, as time and ageing progres- gathering, Ms. King’s story is a serious re- The Weinhaus Why do we like such images? Why sively take away our fun things, we still do we like looking at something that in minder to stay in control, and, yes, there 86 Patton Ave., in Asheville will have good food and drink to the end. really can be life after booze if control (828) 254-6453 reality would need to be cleaned up? Why Therefore, we simply like shapes that would we even pay for such an image? becomes an issue.

Our FREE Saturday tastings continue at The Wine Guy South, every Saturday, from 4-6 p.m. Every week we invite a different distributor to pour 4 or 5 new wines from their portfolio for us to sample. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served and all wines poured will be specially priced.

www.theashevillewineguy.com 555 Merrimon Ave. (828) 254-6500 1200 Hendersonville Rd. (828) 277-1120 Asheville, North Carolina

28 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE Joe’s brew Notes

Pisgah Brewing – by Joe Zinich Where the Beer is “We don’t want to be the biggest brewery, we Tasty and Good for want to be the best.” Mother Earth, Too – Jason Caughman

ave Quinn and Jason Caugh- lets, which man met in Folly Beach, SC saves energy, Asheville Beer Notes 101: (near Charleston), and became produces less fast friends. They both ate waste, and, Beer Styles organic foods, believed in being Dave and Beers have generally recognized good stewards of the environ- Jason are con- styles, for example ESB, IPA, Stout, D ment — and loved home brew- vinced, makes Porter, etc. A style is a label that ing. They wanted to create a business a smoother, describes the beer’s overall character that would combine their principles with less bitter Good beer and good conversation at Pisgah Brewery. by such things as taste, aroma, flavor, their passion — an eco-friendly brewery beer. color, alcohol content, etc. (For more was the perfect idea. Dave, info, Visit Beer Judge Certification The big question was not what to do an aggressive brewer, wants the flavor and Solstice (9.5% alcohol, Belgium style triple). Depending on the season and Program site, http://bjcp.org.) but where. In time, they decided to “hit you in the face,” while Styles allow brewers to give the Asheville area was the ideal Jason wants to appeal to “a their interests, you may find two or more additions to the menu. Currently these a name to a beer that can be rec- location to open their brewery. broader beer drinking com- ognized by beer drinkers. Each They figured our community munity.” This two-pronged ap- are Red Devil (Belgium style ale, made with cherries & raspberries), Valdez (a brewer can make a beer to style but — enthusiastic about organic liv- proach means Pisgah beers are the result is based on the brewer’s ing and local foods — would sup- rich in distinct flavors and very coffee flavored Porter), Pisgah IPA, and Cosmos (9.5%, porter, slightly sweet/ interpretation (strict or loose) of that port a brewery that made organic, drinkable. style, therefore, the look and flavor craft beer. About two and a half The two men agreed early chocolaty, rich, bottle conditioned–yeast and sugar added before capping). will vary a little (sometimes a lot) years ago, they opened Pisgah on that three areas of brewing depending on the brewery. Brewery in Black Mountain east could not be compromised: My favorites from their ongoing menu are the Pisgah Pale Ale (malt taste So try a given style at each of of Asheville. Beer lover sanitation, fermentation control the local breweries. Bring a friend to Pisgah beer is delicious, and Joe Zinich. (the step where yeast produces up front with a medium but smooth hop finish), and the Nitro Stout (almost help you compare and for some fun its brewing philosophy makes alcohol and carbon dioxide), discussions of flavors. you feel good to drink it. It’s brewed and ingredients (everything had to be black, light body, roasted malt/chocolaty with high quality organic ingredients, high quality organic). They believed flavor, dry finish). You can purchase from local sources when possible. The quality would prove profitable. “We their beer at many local pubs, restaurants, manufacturing process recycles hot wa- don’t want to be the biggest brewery,” Ja- etc. (see their website) or, for a real treat, ter, the company delivery trucks run on son says. “We want to be the best.” Word in the brewery’s “Pisgah Package Store”. Beer of the Month bio-diesel-fuel, and the beer is distrib- of mouth advertising has propelled their The Pisgah Package Store is open uted only locally, which further reduces growth — to meet demand, Pisgah has every Thursday from 4-7 PM and is truly the use of fuel. had to double capacity since its opening. a unique place to buy growlers and enjoy Valdez from the The beer is even made with whole Five ales are produced on an ongoing a pint. “My friends and I can socialize in Pisgah Brewing Company hops instead of hop pellets — whole basis: Endless Summer Ale, Pisgah Pale a relaxed, no-pressure environment,” en- hops are processed less than hop pel- Ale, Pisgah Porter, Pisgah Nitro Stout, thuses Jenna from Asheville. It’s a place The Valdez is a medium bodied, of convivial atmosphere with no bar, coffee-flavored porter brewed with no seats, no smoking, music from a CD locally roasted coffee. It pours black player and 50-100 people (all ages, walks with a tan head and has an aroma of of life) enjoying beer and conversation coffee. The beer has creamy malt standing inside the brewery. “Great beer sweetness, smooth with a distinct in a weird, but cool non-bar,” says An- coffee flavor. This is an excellent drew from Black Mountain. porter with a distinctive, but not over In nice weather, folks migrate out- powering, coffee flavor. side to the loading dock adding the en- joyment of the environment to the mix. ” Friendly people, great beer, and a bath- room,” says Elbert from Black Mountain, Pisgah Brewing Company “What else do you need?” Customers 50 Eastside Business Park will be even happier this spring — Pis- Black Mountain gah Brewery is adding a pub with music, (828) 582-7909 a Beer Garden (patio with umbrellas, www.pisgahbrewing.com tables, and chairs) and a game room. If sharing great beer with friends in a relaxed, friendly environment sounds For five years, Joe Zinich has been tak- good, take the advice of Chris, a student ing a self-guided, high-intensity tour of at Warren Wilson College, “Mark your Asheville’s beer world. Contact him at: calendar ‘Growler Thursday” and come [email protected] Lining up for a pint at the Pisgah Package Store. on out.

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 29 RAPID RIVER ARTS Local Flavor Amici Trattoria Brings Italy to Asheville By Beth Gossett

have heard a lot about Amici Trat- brought his wife, Leslie, closer to her fam- toria. All of it, good. So I just had to ily and her Southern roots. stop in and see what all the talk was His first job found him cooking hot about. dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches at Inside this charming place the at- the Edgewood Club in Pittsburgh, at the mosphere is casual bistro with a heavy age of 14. During his stay at the Culinary Italian twist (you’ll want Institute of America in New Ito dress nice but you’ll not feel York, he spent his six-month out of place with jeans and a externship at the five-star, button-up shirt). five-diamond Grand Wailea My server, Carol, under- Resort on Maui, where he stood the bistro’s menu excep- trained under Chef Kathleen tionally well, and this is a good Daelmons, Food TV Host thing for those of us new to a and best-selling cookbook menu. I have eaten at plenty author. A few years later he of restaurants where the server found himself in Pittsburgh, basically said “Your guess is PA, as executive chef of as good as mine on what’s in Casbah, a Mediterranean, that entrée.” She also recom- fine dining restaurant. While mended which wines paired there, Pittsburgh Magazine well with each of the entrees I Owner/Chef recognized him as a Rising questioned about. Again, this Heath Miles Star Chef. just added to my dining experience. As is Miles told me I simply had to try the customary with many fine restaurants she calamari on the menu, and to add plenty allowed me to sample a few of the wines to of lemon. I did. It, like everything else, was find one for my liking. delicious. Also, as part of Miles and my Knowing perfectly well salad is served discussion was how comfortable the space at the end of the meal in Italy, I still went was, that it was perfect for groups, roman- ahead and ordered the mixed greens from tic dinners or dinner with the kids. Asheville’s Favorite Coffee Houses the Antipasti menu first. Yes, you can take the girl out of the country but never can you take the country out of the girl as Don’t miss the May issue of my grammy said. On this one she is right Rapid River — we’ll explore some of because I cannot eat my salad last. And it Asheville’s favorite coffee houses. tasted delicious with just enough oil and vinegar to extend the flavors. Want to be included? Call (828) The scallops arrived with creamy 646-0071 for details. Reduced polenta and tomato onion compote; and advertising rates for coffee houses. the soup of the day, a light turkey chili that was hearty, yet light, and completely delectable. Nate, the bartender, made a delicious and creative martini I once had in New Beautiful interior of Amici Trattoria. www.rapidrivermagazine.com York City at this way too expensive club, called a butterscotchtini — the drink that “I like the fact that people can bring is not the club — and it had just the right their families here,” Miles says, “I have amount of alcohol. kids, and I like to know that there are Wireless The entrée I chose was the Ricotta places here in Asheville that welcomes us Internet and Sage Ravioli. The first taste hit my as a family. That’s what eating is about… palate with an explosion of rich creamy family.” Access! cheeses and delectable spices. Being won I’m definitely going to be going back over I simply had to speak with the creator to Amici Trattoria very soon. of the dish and that’s how I met Chef/ In Asheville Heath Miles’s star has Owner Heath Miles. risen and it shines oh so bright. As it turned out Miles came to Ashe- Delicious ville in 2003 to open The Boathouse on Specialty Pizzas Lake Julian, where he developed a menu Amici Trattoria Spring Water Dough combining the freshest seafood with the LUNCH: Mon-Fri. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (828) 236-9800 best seasonal and regional products avail- DINNER: Mon-Sat. 5 p.m. until Appetizing Salads able. Like many great chefs, Miles eventu- Open 7 Days a Week Fresh-Baked Calzones ally chose to open his own restaurant. He 900 Hendersonville Road Hoagies & Pretzels decided to stay in Asheville because of Suite 201, Asheville, NC 28803 the potential of the region, and because it 50 Broadway ~ Asheville, NC Healthy Ingredients Phone (828) 277-1010 30 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE Local Flavor

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day – Boxty Attention All Boxty in the griddle, Coffee Houses With Potatoes and Tuber-Verse boxty in the pan, if you don’t eat boxty, In May, Rapid River would you’ll never get a man. e Americans are like to focus on all of the different notorious for by Mackensy Lunsford “Boxty,” a traditional Irish and unique coffee houses located turning holidays pancake, can be made on the right here in WNC. into marathons green dye. Come mid- griddle like flapjacks, or baked If any coffee house would like of indulgence. March, the Chicago River as a loaf, or boiled as dumplings. to be featured in what is sure to New Year’s is dyed the shade of lime It’s also a good way to utilize be an insightful and informative Eve, Independence Day Jell-o, certainly to the cha- your leftover champ: section, please contact us by send- W ing an e-mail message to info@ and Saturday night become grin of the surviving fish 2 raw potatoes, peeled and rapidrivermagazine.com. Photos justifiable excuses to eclipse population, which is com- grated our already heroic efforts at of each business will accompany posed primarily of goldfish 1½ cup champ or consumption. every article. that could likely survive the leftover mashed potatoes St. Patrick’s Day is no Asheville Chef apocalypse alongside the For additional coverage we exception. On March 17, Mackensy Lunsford cockroaches. 2 cups all-purpose flour invite you to advertise in the May issue. All ads will be 20% off with we can be spectacular in our Many consider it their About ½ cup milk, more as no additional charge for color. attempts to prove how “Irish” we can be. God-given right to get rip-roaring drunk needed We tend to dye pretty much everything on green beer and pinch cute co-workers 1 large egg green. Some cities have taken to defil- who forgot to wear green. We drink copi- ing entire major waterways with loads of ous amounts of Guinness and Irish whis- Salt and pepper to taste key. We throw parades. We wear tacky 1/2 tsp baking powder green clothing and we love every minute 1 egg Champ of it. And why not? Honoring another 1 TBS butter country’s patron saint with beer, whiskey Oil to grease skillet “There was an old woman and potatoes is just plain fun. who lived in a lamp. Mix together raw potato She had no room to and mashed potato. In a separate beetle her champ. bowl, mix together dry ingredi- She’s up with her beetle On March 17, we can ents and then add to potatoes. and broke the lamp, Stir to combine. and then she had room be spectacular in our Beat egg with milk and add to beetle her champ. attempts to prove how to mixture. More milk can be “Irish” we can be. added to make the batter the “Champ” is a dish of mashed pota- right consistency to drop from Elsie’s Biscuits: toes, milk and scallions. In earlier a spoon. times, the wooden pestle used to Drop two tablespoons of Simple Stories of Me, mash the potatoes was called a Aside from Guinness, consumption batter at a time on a medium My Mother, and Food “beetle.” Champ is simple to make of the humble potato may be the closest hot skillet or griddle and cook and delicious any time of year. that many of us come to somewhat accu- over moderate heat on each side by Laurey Masterton, 2006 2 pounds starchy potatoes, peeled rately honoring the traditions of Ireland. like pancakes. I need at least ten pages to and quartered That the Irish love their potatoes is no Boxty can be served with a write the praises of this wonder- secret; it’s not uncommon for several variety of toppings. While not ½ pint half and half or whole milk ful book. At its most basic, Elsie’s different potato preparations to appear at entirely traditional Irish fare, Biscuits is the story of Masterton’s 6 scallions, greens only, chopped one meal. creme fraiche, smoked salmon long journey from an idyllic 6-8 tsps butter, in pats What better way to fortify oneself for and capers make an excellent childhood spent in her beloved a long night of revelry than with a pile of filling. mother’s kitchen in Vermont to Salt and pepper (preferably white), “champ” or a plateful of “boxty”? And in to taste success as one of Asheville’s favor- typical Irish style, there must of course be ite caterers. Cover the potatoes in a large the wild recitation of a traditional tuber- It’s not only one of the best pot with salted water. Bring to a appropriate rhyme. books I’ve ever read about food boil, then cook till knife tender. — it’s one of the best books I’ve Pour off the water, cover and set ever read, period. It’s breathtak- aside. Have an idea for future articles for Local Flavor? Local foodies we should know ingly beautifully written, a flaw- Meanwhile, bring milk to less weaving of memories and the a simmer and add scallions. Let about? Workshops or other food events? Contact Mackensy Lunsford at catalyst@ adventure of cooking — charming, simmer for a minute or two, then charter.net. hilarious, painfully sad, wildly remove from heat, add half of the inspiring. Oprah Winfrey would butter and let melt. love this book and I hope some- Combine milk mixture with body will get it to her. There are potatoes and mash until smooth. Mackensy Lunsford is an award-winning food writer who co-owns Café Azalea millions of readers hungry for Add salt and pepper to taste. with her husband Judd Lohof. Café good recipes and lovely writing and Serve with remaining butter. Azalea caters to the “healthy hedonist,” Elsie’s Biscuits serves up both in Traditionally, the butter is served i.e. those who love their veggies but Have a Happy abundant measure. in a well in the potatoes. aren’t afraid of a little luxury. St. Patrick’s Day! Review by Marcianne Miller

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 31 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE FINE ART

The Giclee Journey By Simcha Weinstein n 1999, a few years before the “Gi- the print- work and potentially clee Revolution” really hit its stride, making cutting your costs. I started a small fine art printmaking community What usually gets company in Asheville called Color- address overlooked is how Works. At the time I really had very this? much work and little idea what I was doing. I was expertise are involved simply following my passion for both art Answer: in creating your own I Michelle and digital technology and enjoying the There prints. It’s more than outcome from seeing these two worlds is no doubt just clicking a a few collide. that Giclees buttons. Getting to A few months after the studio opened represent Full Studio the point where you Michelle Miller joined me and we be- the higher are ready to click came the face of ColorWorks. My role end of cost for reproducing your artwork, “print” can be a long and tedious pro- was more behind the scenes, focusing on however this does not at all have to be cess involving pretty sophisticated digital the latest digital innovations and how to a negative. I try to focus on value rather imaging skills. The dilemma than I have best incorporate these findings into what than cost. Even though a well-crafted seen with artists who take on their own we were doing. Michelle used her talents giclee print may cost the artist more than printing is the battle of their own time be- as artist, photographer and digital imager a lithograph or digital print on a less ing divided between being the artist and to provide our clients with stunning fin- expensive paper, there is usually a greater being the printmaker. They both are full ished prints. She very quickly established opportunity for the artist to be more prof- time work. a reputation with the artist community itable with the giclee print. Question: Simcha as being able to “get inside their eye” - to Because it so resembles the original It seems like with just about every truly see what they were seeing. Color- piece of art, it can and usually does sell industry there is now a Green or eco- Works seemed to take on a life of its own for a premium price. Quite often an artist friendly trend happening. Are you seeing and within a short period of time became can sell their giclees for 3-5 times (and anything like that in the fine art printing a destination point sometimes more) industry? for artists looking to what they paid to reproduce their work. have them pro- Answer: Michelle In the Fall of Because of the very high quality duced. This type of of the paper and canvas that we use for 2006 I left Color- financial opportu- Have That Special Item Works to continue printing a good portion of the supplies nity simply doesn’t we use have always been pretty Green. my own work as a happen with any Framed While You Visit writer and designer. Both the fine art papers and canvas are With other type of print- 100% cotton, acid-free and use no optical “Rafferty” Fortunately for the ing. Once the artist Asheville artist com- brighteners. These papers also come from understands value smaller more artisan-like mills. Most munity, Michelle vs. cost, the issue never left and she papers in the printing industry are loaded seems to disappear. with chemicals to have them be as white moved the business More artists than to a new studio under and as bright as possible. As we have ever before are now learned, they only stay white for a very the name of Double able to make a living Exposure. short time before they begin to yellow. from their art, and As for inks, there are some soy-based Since then, Dou- giclee prints are Home Studio inks out there and I have read where re- ble Exposure has not playing a significant only improved upon search is being done on some eco-friendly role in this success. inks. This is an area where we need to what was established in the early years of That is pretty telling! ColorWorks, but has grown and flour- make the largest stride in becoming more ished into a very dynamic and successful Question: Simcha environmentally friendly. Once the ink studio working with hundreds of artists Over the past couple of years before solution goes Green, Giclee prints will be and photographers throughout western I left ColorWorks, we were seeing where a pretty clean product! several artists were beginning to buy their North Carolina, the southeastern United Question: Simcha States and even across the country. own printers and take on the role them- So, I know from my role with Color- I recently found myself curious about selves of printmaker. Has this become a Works that the innovation and technology the “State of Giclee”, and wondering what trend? Are you still seeing artists bring the for digital imaging changes daily with new was new and exciting in a field that it printing in-house to their own studios? machines, printers and cameras constantly seemed like I used to live in. Being away Answer: Michelle being introduced into the marketplace. from anything these days, even for a short I wouldn’t really call it a trend. In the Any new groundbreaking technology OFFERING: period of time and you can miss an eter- past year and a half there have probably happening in the industry. Expert Picture Framing nity in innovation. I thought I would see been a handful of artists that have gone Shadowboxes ~ Mirrors if Michelle would let me pick her brain out on their own. Usually at least a couple Answer: Michelle Local Artists Work for a bit and ask her a few questions about I’m guessing there probably is. It of them end up after several months giv- seems like most of the new printers now Pet Portraits by Maggie the fine art printmaking industry. Here’s ing up on printmaking and returning to what I found out: are focusing on speed and paper handling. the life of full time painter. The truth is that technology has basically 900 Hendersonville Rd. I can certainly understand how it Suite 102 Asheville Question: Simcha arrived as far as print quality goes. Sure, So, let’s start with the “elephant in looks appealing to bring the operation there will be some more improvements 247-5176 the room” question. Is the higher cost of in-house, having complete control over www.fastframeasheville.com giclee still presenting an issue? How does the process, printing whenever you need “Giclee” continued on next page

32 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS FINE ART

“Giclee” continued from page 32 a printmaker is that what distinguishes a good print from a great print is the crafts- with color gamuts and speed, but even manship. And that will never go away. if the image quality never improved past As we use to say — a printer (the where we are there will still be some pretty machine) merely tells the truth. Preparing amazing looking prints in circulation! an image and crafting it so it literally looks Even though the focus of the giclee indistinguishable from the original work; process is with printing, where some of that is the true art of printmaking. There the most significant advances have oc- will never be a machine that can do that. curred are with cameras. As you know, we It’s all about what you see and how you see have always believed that the most impor- it. Printmaking is truly an art unto itself. tant part of the printing process is in the When my visit with Michelle ended and I was driving home, I began thinking about not only how technology and inno- vation have moved the art world into this new phase, but also the tension within the art world that now exists. It is the age-old battle of innovation vs tradition. The world of art is very steeped in tradition and tradition does not typically embrace change (giclees) very well. Its goal is to remain the same, if for no other reason, than “that’s how it’s always been.” Historically, tradition ultimately tends to Studio Production bend. It doesn’t always yield, but it does bend. And what will this bending look photographic capture of the artwork. Your like in the battle of giclee prints vs the print is only as good as what you capture! traditional art world? It may be too early Although very expensive, there are too tell, but one thing is for sure, giclees some superb digital cameras on the market certainly have the momentum. Let the now that do an incredible job with color, journey continue… quality and file size. This is no longer a need for anyone in the fine art printmak- ing industry not to be shooting digital. Michelle Miller of Double Exposure can be Ultimately, it is my belief that no reached at (828) 299-8180 or www.double- matter how much equipment you have, exposureart.com. no matter how new it is or how innova- Simcha Weinstein can be reached at (828) tive it is, your equipment can only take 298-7776 you so far. What I like most about being

‘Holy Lands, Sacred Visions’ on Display at Woolworth Walk

he F.W. Gallery at land, Sacred and Holy. The Woolworth Walk will exhibit at Woolworth Walk be proudly displaying will begin on March 7, with work by the Southern an opening reception on Appalachian photog- Sunday, March 9 from 2:00 rapher David Koll. to 4:00 p.m. All who share in TDavid is a man who takes gratitude for this planet are time to see more than the urged to come and see this apparent visual beauty that exhibit. surrounds North Carolina. Through his many years spent “Sassafras Looking Glass” exploring these mountains by photographer David Koll he has become familiar with ideals of the indigenous people who re- spectfully depended on the land for food, If you go medicine and guidance. The intention of this show is to Photographs by David Koll on display visually realign our connection with the from March 7 through April 9, 2008. Woolworth Walk, 25 Haywood St., Asheville, NC 28801. (828) 254-9234 Visit www.woolworthwalk.com Hours: Monday through Saturday 11-6; for more information. Closed Tuesday; Sunday 11-5

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 33 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE performance

behind forever un- 3 Comedians Crash the Wortham by Greg Brown finished action items and unlimited free sheville’s first-ever didn’t, which pissed him off est form of humor,” he admits. “It’s know- Mountain Dew. showcase of nation- enough to denounce her live ing how to pull ‘em off that makes it work. He’s appeared ally touring comedians on the radio. She’s worked with I don’t tell stories. I don’t try to preach. I in clubs all over the comes to town on Chris Rock and appeared on don’t try to come up with some kind of Southeast and been March 7, 2008. Co- the WB Comedy Special. Weird point of view. I’m making fun of words.” featured on FOX’s Producers Greg Brown Al asked her out once. Making of a Come- and Rowan Lischerelli, And as well as being Melanie Maloy dian. Weird Al has Aand the Laugh Your Asheville blessed with a last name that’s Ani di Franco fan Melanie Maloy never asked him Off team bring the funny back catchy and easy to spell, Char- is without doubt the greatest female out. But the night is Scott Oseychik in 2008 with a three-comic lotte comedian Scott Oseychik dreadlocked comedian to yet emerge young. show of national acts including was featured on FOX’s Making from Greensburg, PA. She made E!’s Top Tim Northern, Melanie Maloy of a Comedian. Local stand-up Tim Northern 50 Funniest People list and Howard Stern If you go and Scott Oseychik. comedian Tom Chalmers and didn’t, which pissed him off enough to “I was poor growing up. We Creative Loafing’s funniest denounce her live on the radio. She’s 3 Comedians Crash the Wortham, didn’t have health insurance. I remember person in Charlotte, Joe Zimmerman will worked with Chris Rock and appeared on Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place, my dad was in this bad accident one time, make special appearances. the WB Comedy Special. Asheville, NC and they put a paper plate in his head.” She’s waiting to hear from Letterman March 7, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. - Tim Northern Tim Northern after being asked to send in a second tape. Tickets: $24. Recommended for mature With fans including Naomi Judd, With fans including Naomi Judd, who Weird Al asked her out once. audiences 18+ who liked his “cerebral humor” and Ben liked his “cerebral humor” and Ben Stein, Tickets: http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/ Stein, who credits him for assuming who credits him for assuming his audience Scott Oseychik TicketPurchase?organ_val=354 his audience has a brain, Tim Northern has a brain, Nashville’s Tim Northern Blessed with a catchy, easy-to-spell Or, call the Diana Wortham Box Office describes himself as a “word man” and calls himself a “word man.” He delivers Ukrainian last name, this high-energy (828) 257-4530. delivers articulate, witty humor. articulate, deceptively witty humor with an young comedian gave up a cushy, high- Melanie Maloy made E!’s Top 50 enthusiasm for words and language. dollar day job as a Microsoft program Official website Funniest People list and Howard Stern “A lot of people say puns are the low- manager for life as a comedian, leaving http://laughyourashevilleoff.com

by Julia Weatherford dent in his unique sound. In 2006, Dun- The Akira Satake Band can appeared on PRI’s Mountain Stage riven by an elegant world beat his own original style, and has made it an alongside renowned guitarist and singer, pulse, this collaboration of important part of his repertory. John Doyle. In 2008 Duncan will embark Asheville-based musicians plays Satake garnered international at- on his second US tour as a member of instrumental music ranging tention with his collection of original the acclaimed Cathie Ryan Band. from original Satake composi- compositions, “Cooler Heads Prevail,” Cellist Julia Weatherford brings to tions to Appalachian and Celtic and shared the 1998 German Music Crit- the group her experimental approach to dance music traditions. ics’ Award for Best World Music Record- the instrument, holding down the bass Akira Satake drives this group with ing with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He has and harmonic structure with her innova- D tive rhythmical technique. She studied his unique textural and melodic approach performed and/or recorded with such to playing the banjo. He is joined by the artists as Shawn Colvin, Nancy Griffith, cello from the age of 12, and played cello young violinist Duncan Wickle, equally Jim Lauderdale, Hazel Dickens, Bela with the Asheville Symphony for thirteen fluent as a classical soloist, celtic fiddler Fleck and Tony Trischka, and produced seasons, meanwhile moonlighting on the or improvising jazz artist. Cellist Julia award-winning CDs for Tim O’Brien, fiddle, playing traditional old-time, New Weatherford grounds the group with her Mamadou Diabate, Johnny Cunningham England and Celtic music for square innovative rhythmical technique, soulful and flamenco guitarist Gerardo Nunez. dances, contra dances and in listening melodies and harmonies. Billy Jonas’ heartwarming work has halls. She was the artistic director of the Special guest, multitalented Billy been enjoyed across North America since legendary Black Mountain Festival for Jonas, much loved by his hometown of 1987. Previously a member of the highly many years and now works with the Asheville, will be wearing his percussion- acclaimed duo, “The Billys,” he has Swannanoa Gathering. Julia has toured ist’s hat for the evening, with his usual been featured at prestigious festivals and internationally as a dance musician, and array of homemade and recycled object venues nationwide (see selected venues). performs regionally with several string instruments. Together, the band cre- Jonas has shared stages with some of the bands. ates an engaging kaleidoscope of musical world’s favorite acoustic artists, including textures that invites the audience to join Patti Larkin, Ani DiFranco, David Wil- them on a grand musical journey of na- cox, Richard Thompson, and Pete Seeger. If you go tion-blending. Violinist Duncan Wickel began Akira Satake first discovered the studying classical violin at the age of 4. The Akira Satake Band will perform a banjo through his older brother’s Flatt He is currently a student at the Berklee special concert at the Asheville Art Center, and Scruggs recordings while growing up College of Music, in Boston, MA study- 308 Merrimon Avenue in Asheville, NC in Osaka, Japan. After relocating to New ing jazz violin performance and returns to on Wednesday, March 19 at 8:00 p.m. York City in his early 20’s he spent two his hometown for this concert. Duncan Tickets will be available at the door. decades honing his innovative banjo style is becoming recognized for his diverse in venues from Village clubs to Lincoln interests and abilities based around Irish For more information visit Center and Carnegie Hall. He went on to and Celtic music idioms. His background http://www.akirasatake.com/music.asp master the shamisen (Japanese banjo) in in classical, world fusion and jazz is evi-

34 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE Performance Thin Walls: A Private Glimpse Into the Tangled and Peculiar hat is it that makes us unique, by Erin Braasch extraordinary, beautiful, or even normal? Take a peek create original works. Since its inception through “Thin Walls” as in 2007, Moving Women’s projects have various perspectives on the aimed to explore the cathartic experience pursuit for beauty, normalcy of movement and to raise awareness of and acceptance are woven through the social issues, especially the challenges of W being a woman today. experiences of Violet and Daisy Hilton, conjoined twins and vaudeville stars who sought to find their individuality in an all If you go but “normal” life. “Thin Walls: a private glimpse into “Thin Walls”, is the latest offering in the tangled and peculiar”, is an original North Carolina Stage Company’s Catalyst dance and movement theatre perfor- Series and will run Thursdays through mance by the new, collaborative, dance Saturdays at 7:30, March 13-22 at NCSC, performance ensemble, Moving Women. 15 Stage Lane, downtown Asheville, across from Zambras. Company members collaborate with poet Carlie Ramer and sculptor J. Aaron Tickets $15, available online, www. Alderman to explore the experiences of ncstage.org, or at the NCSC box office, the Hiltons’ life juxtaposed with various (828) 250-9090. Thursday, March 13 is outlooks on the quest for acceptance. pay-what-you-can night, $6 minimum, Grounded in modern dance, Moving cash and exact change only. Thursday, March 20 is 2-for-1 Women honors and invites the diverse perspectives offered by collaboration with For more information call (828) 215- other dancers, visual artists, musicians, 2410, visit www.movingwomen.org, or poets, actors, and performance artists to [email protected].

Mountain Spirit Coffeehouse in Asheville Presents The Return of The Kennedys – By Popular Demand! by James Cassara ete and Maura Kennedy have “Dharma Café” show on SIRIUS Satellite proven to be one of the most popu- radio as well as semi-annual songwrit- lar artists to grace the stage at the ing cruises and workshops. Never ones ongoing Mountain Spirit Coffee to rest on their laurels The Kennedys are House musical shows. introducing yet another feature to their Their previous performances show: A pair of side projects featuring Phave completely sold out, with organizer The Stringbusters, Pete and Maura’s uku- Don Baker calling last’s year show “the lele duo devoted to jazz, classical and pop, most successful yet.” The duo, long along with the electric sitar and twinkling known for their energetic and audience ukulele that are respectively featured in friendly shows (as well as their exuber- The Strangelings, their “British folk/psy- ant blend of folk, rock, country, pop and chedelic” quintet. If that weren’t enough secular gospel) have recently released Bet- the show will also showcase Hungrytown, ter Dreams, their first CD of all-original featuring Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson material in seven years. It was, according as special guests. to Pete, “inspired by a pair of seminars This show will feature three unique we’d conducted on ‘using dreams to un- sets so reserve your tickets early! lock your creativity. We found that we were writing re- ally interesting songs in and around the workshop sessions,” he explained. “All of If you go these songs have something to do with the dreamtime; we have a different kind The Kennedys: Sunday, March 2nd, of freedom there.” The Mountain Spirit Mountain Spirit Coffee House, Unitarian Coffeehouse shows seem tailor made to Universalist Church of Asheville, Char- lotte St. & Edwin Place. their brand of music. As husband and wife they’ve logged Doors open at 6:30 p.m., music at 7:00 well over 1,000 gigs and half a million Donation: $15 miles of touring. In addition to their con- For tickets and information call (828) 299- stant touring they continue to host their 4171, or visit www.uuasheville.org

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 35 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE WHAT TO DO GUIDE ™

Saturday, March 1 and arias and songs by Gounod, Bi- How to place an Saturday, March 15 zet, Massenet, Mozart, Blitzstein, The Big Read March 1-14 event/classified Pet Adoption Fair Bolcom, and Previn. Animal Compassion Network There is no charge for the con- “My Antonia,” Willa Cather’s novel about immigration, love, and listing with Rapid will host adoption events at cert, but a free will offering will landscape inspires seven programs in four counties. Oral history PETsMART, off Swannanoa be taken for the ALO Education expert Rebecca Williams uses the book as a launch for Swannanoa River Art Magazine River Road, from 11 a.m. to 3 Fund and the restoration of the stories, March 2. Dr. Phyllis Lang shares her intimate familiarity with Cather’s landscape and life at three different programs. Any “free” event open to p.m. Dozens of rescued ACN beautiful and historic church. the public can be listed at dogs, puppies, kittens and cats St. Matthias’ Church is over 100 Saturday, March 1, 11 a.m. — Polk County Library; 1289 will be ready to be placed in years old and is on the national no charge up to 30 words. West Mills St., Columbus. “The Power of Books,” by Nicholas permanent homes. For informa- historical register. Basbanes, author of “Every Book Its Reader: The Power of the For all other events there is tion, call (828) 258-4820, or visit The church is located in Ashe- Printed Word to Stir the World.” (828) 894-8721. a $9.95 charge up to 30 ACN’s web site at www.animal- ville just off South Charlotte compassionnetwork.org. Sunday, March 2, 2 p.m. — McDowell County Public Library, words and 10 cents for Street at Max Street on the hill 90 West Court St., Marion. Afternoon book discussion of “My each additional word. across from the Asheville Public Antonia.” (828) 652-3858. Works Building (1 Dundee St.). 160 word limit per event. Sunday, March 2 Shuttle parking will be available Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m. — Swannanoa Public Library. Sponsored listings (shown in from the Public Works parking “Memoir Writing Workshop, inspired by ‘My Antonia,’” led by Blue Ridge Christian TWR Oral History Coordinator Rebecca Williams. (828) 250-6486. boxes) can be purchased for Church lot on South Charlotte St. $12 per column inch. The church will occupy its new Sunday March 9, 2 p.m. — West Asheville Library; 942 Hay- Deadline is the 19th of each worship facility. All are welcome wood Rd., Asheville. “Willa Cather Country,” Phyllis Lang, Thursday, March 6 UNCA professor and Plains native, presents an illustrated talk on month. Payment must be to the service at 10:30 a.m.; 147 Oren Drive, Fletcher. For infor- the setting of My Antonia. (828) 250-4750. made prior to printing. Haywood Community mation, call (828) 687-7826. Band Rehearsal Tuesday, March 11, 7 p.m. — Pack Memorial Library, 67 Hay- Email Beth Gossett at: The Haywood Community Band wood St., Asheville. “Willa Cather’s ‘My Antonia,” Phyllis Lang, [email protected] will resume its weekly rehearsal UNCA professor and Plains native, presents an illustrated talk on or mail to: 85 N. Main St, Sunday, March 2 schedule starting at 7 p.m., at the setting of My Antonia and Willa Cather’s life. (828) 250-4700. Canton, NC 28716. Or Call: Chamber Music Concert Grace Episcopal Church in Thursday, March 13, 7 p.m. — West Asheville Library; 942 (828) 646-0071 to place ad of Arias Waynesville. The band performs Haywood Rd., Asheville. “Willa Cather Country,” Phyllis Lang, free concerts on the third Sunday over the phone. The Asheville Lyric Opera will UNCA professor and Plains native, presents an evening of her of each month, May through illustrated talk on the setting of My Antonia. (828) 250-4750. present a concert of operatic arias October in cooperation with the by three singers at 3:00 p.m. at Maggie Valley Civic Association. Friday, March 14, 10 a.m. — The Music Box; 280 N. Haywood – Disclaimer – St. Matthias Church in Asheville. In addition, the band also will St., Waynesville. “Books to Highschoolers,” Osondu Booksell- The three singers are: Gladys participate in the Bicentennial ers and TWR distributes copies of “My Antonia” to high school Due to the overwhelming Davis, soprano; Aaron Schnur- number of local event submis- Celebration of Haywood County students who frequent the popular spot. (828) 456-8062. busch, tenor; and Roberto Flores, with a festive concert, July 4 on sions we get for our “What to baritone. They will be accom- These events are part of The Big Read, an initiative of the Na- Do Guide” each month, we can the Haywood County Court tional Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of panied by Susan Kincaid on the House lawn. Anyone interested no longer accept entries that piano. The program will include Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. The Big Read do not specifically follow our is being administered by Together We Read in this region. Visit publication’s format. Non-paid www.togetherweread.org or call (828) 505-1973 for information. event listings must be 30 words “Captivity” by Debbie Lee Wesselmann or less and both paid and non- in joining the Haywood Com- at 9 p.m. at the Garage at Bilt- paid listings must provide infor- Captivity is a both a fascinating and haunt- munity Band should call John more with Papa Grows Funk. mation in the following format: ing novel that seldom lets the reader come Barrett at (828) 452-5551, or Bob date, time, brief description of The group is also releasing their up for air. This chilling second novel by Hill, (828) 452-7530. sophomore album featuring what your event is and any con- Debbie Lee Wesselmann will entice with a tact information. Any entries not members of The Black Crowes, swift, riveting plot that proves she deserves North Mississippi Allstars, and following this format will not be to reign as today’s master of suspense. Friday, March 7, 8 p.m. the Dirty Dozen Brass Band this considered for publication. Thirty years ago Primatologist Dana Pacifica Quartet Concert spring. For more information Armstrong was a little blond year old girl visit www.jamiemclean.com growing up with a chimpanzee for a sister. Asheville Chamber Music Series presents the Pacifica Quartet Her father’s conducted an experiment to playing music of Mozart and see just how different the two species are if raised together. So Beethoven. Unitarian-Universal- Tuesday, March 11 Advertising Sales Dana grew up bathing, learning sign language, and throwing ist Church of Asheville. Single tantrums with her “sister.” Her father filmed a lot of his experi- tickets $25 at the door as avail- Blue Ridge Watermedia Representatives ment and today these images still flicker in classrooms across able. 658-2562 - www.main. Society the country. Dana wants nothing more than to forget about nc.us/ashevillechambermusic. Monthly meeting will be held The Rapid River needs them, but as director of a chimpanzee sanctuary in the woods at the First Baptist Church, 100 experienced sales personnel. of South Carolina, she cannot escape. South Main Street, Waynesville at 6:45 p.m. This is a change Interested? Wesselmann will sign books in Silva at City Lights, located Friday, March 7 at 3 East Jackson St., Wednesday, March 5 at 12 noon, then at 7 in meeting location and future Call (828) 646-0071, or e-mail p.m. at Malaprops bookstore/café, 55 Haywood St. in Asheville. Jamie McLean Band meetings will be held here. [email protected] Returns to Asheville to perform Pam Haddock will provide

March Events ~ Announcements ~ Classifieds

36 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE WHAT TO DO GUIDE ™ the watercolor demonstration. folk art of the highest quality For more information please call conclude with a tournament She has spent her last 17 years — original paintings, American (828) 456-2030 or email recy- reception and awards ceremony. Upcoming Events at observing and translating the handmade craft, handcrafted fur- [email protected] Registration is limited to 80 Osondu Booksellers scenes from Western North niture, photography, jewelry and players, and interested golfers are Carolina. Her paintings are taken more. We offer gift certificates, encouraged to sign up early. Reg- Friday, March 14, 7 p.m. from subject matter gathered shipping anywhere, layaway, Thursday, April 3, 8 p.m. istration fee includes a pre-event from Sylva, Waynesville, High- complimentary or special gallery dinner, golf fees, tournament Another taste-tempting, lands, Cashiers, Bryson City, gift wrap, gift registry, personal Beaux Arts Trio lunch, tournament reception, information-intense semi- Cataloochee, Deep Creek and shopping, special commissions Asheville Chamber Music and a charitable donation. nar on Rishi Teas. Learn Dupont State Forest. Pamela’s and art consultation. Series presents the world-fa- about these fair trade, health watercolors are bold and rich in mous Beaux Arts Trio in a rare If you would like to register or enhancing drinks from afi- color and movement. Her joy Gallery hours: Monday-Saturday Asheville appearance, playing learn more about the tourna- cionados Scott Osondu and for the process of painting in 10 a.m.-6 p.m, Sunday 1-4 p.m., Beethoven, Schubert and Kurtág. ment, contact Kristen Brown at Melissa Peterson, enjoying watercolor infuses her paintings and first Friday of the month un- Unitarian-Universalist Church (828) 254-5356 x 156 or via email samples all the while. with light and vibrancy that only til 9 p.m. (828) 692-6222, e-mail of Asheville. Tickets $25 at the at [email protected]. Registra- watercolor in its pure transparent [email protected] or visit door as available. We expect a tion is also available online at Saturday, March 15, 7 p.m. form can impart. www.wickwireartgallery.com sellout crowd, so come early! www.eliada.org/golf. Renowned Cherokee poet MariJo Moore will be with Corgi Tales by Phil Hawkins us to read from her most re- cent poetry collection, Con- Friday, March 14, 5-8 PM fessions of a Madwoman: An Earth Fare Art Showcase Oral Journey. Fill that blank space on your wall! Come out and support our Friday, March 21, 7 p.m. local artists, as Earth Fare em- We will continue our “Com- ployees showcase their amazing munity Conversations” about artwork. Enjoy free food, wine Gary Hirshberg’s Stirring It & music. Earth Fare, Market & Up: How to Make Money Cafe, 66 Westgate Parkway in and Save the World with Asheville. members of the local busi- ness community.

March 14-17 Saturday, March 22, 7 p.m. Lorraine Conard will per- WICKWIRE’s Lucky By Amy Downs form in the Osondu Café. A Shamrock Drawing Callie & Cats thoroughly engaging song- WICKWIRE brings you original, stress with a lilting voice and new works of traditional and a command of many musical transitional art and contemporary genres, Lorraine is sure to please café-goers. This event caps off our “Luck ‘O the Foot Rx Workshops Irish” week. and Group Runs Friday, March 28, 7 p.m. Local author Symm Hawes Free Guest Expert Speak- McCord will sign copies of ers covering topics such as his newly published science reflexology, Nordic Walking, fiction thriller, The Chal- and strength and flexibility lenge of JHWH. training for runners. Saturday, March 8 Saturday, March 15 First chance to purchase sub- Ballroom Dance Lessons Saturday, March 29, 7 p.m. scriptions for the 2008-09 season. At the Old Armory Recreation Word Game Nite for all of • 9 a.m., Tim Arem – Learn Girls Volleyball Clinic (828) 658-2562 - www.main. Center from 7 to 9 p.m. In you speed-Scrabblers, Bog- how to Nordic Walk (Poles Want to improve your volleyball nc.us/ashevillechambermusic. March, Tuesdays will be for glers, and the like. A gamer’s provided) skills? Come to the Spring Vol- advanced swing; Wednesdays fee of $5 is charged. • 12 p.m., Ciel Walko & leyball Clinic at the Waynesville will be for beginners Samba; and Candace Gale – Learn about Recreation Center on Saturdays Monday, April 28 Thursdays will be for interme- Monday thru from 1 to 2:15 p.m. beginning Winter Hours: Reflexology & Integrative Eliada’s Inaugural diate Tango. In April, Tues- Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Health Solutions March 15 and ending April 5. days will be for beginner Salsa; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Charity Classic Wednesdays will be for interme- • 2 p.m., Miriam Nelson Skills covered will include hit- Asheville Country Club will Closed Sunday ting, setting, passing, blocking diate Foxtrot; and Thursdays will – (PT) A Good Start to host the inaugural Eliada Charity be for beginners Waltz. Running with Strength & and serving. All skill levels are Classic. The golf tournament Osondu Booksellers Flexibility welcome! This program is for all will raise funds and awareness The cost is $35. For more in- 184 N. Main girls in 6 - 8 grade. The cost is for the children and families formation please call Shirley at Waynesville, NC Held at Foot Rx $15 for members of the Waynes- served by Eliada. The event (828) 734-8063. The Recreation (828) 456-8062 Turtle Creek Shopping ville Recreation Center and $25 Center is located at 44 Boundary will begin with a Captain’s www.osondubooksellers.com Center in South Asheville for non-members. choice shotgun start at 1:00, and Street in Waynesville.

Classes ~ Lectures ~ arts & crafts ~ readings

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 37 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE Note worthy Virtuostic Troupe Garth Fagan Dance Performs at Diana Wortham by John Ellis nternationally touring Garth Fagan ebrated nationally Dance Company performs March and abroad for its 4-5 at the Diana Wortham Theatre at dancers’ individu- Pack Place, kicking-off the theatre’s ality, virtuosity, regionally known Mainstage Dance and fresh, unman- Series for 2008. nered approach. I Known widely for his Tony- Their distinctive winning choreography for Walt Disney’s movement quality The Lion King on Broadway, the Jamai- comes from years can-born Fagan draws on many sources of training in the for his genre-busting performances: the Fagan Technique, sense of weight in modern dance, the the teaching method torso-centered movement and energy of Garth Fagan, com- Afro-Caribbean, the speed and precision pany founder and to sustain long adagio balances, to change area dancers and dance students. For more of ballet, and the rule-breaking experi- artistic director, developed hand-in-hand direction in mid-air, to vary the dynamic information or to register, contact Diana mentation of the post-moderns. In Ashe- with his own dance vocabulary when he of a turn, to stop on a dime.” Wortham Theatre Director of Education ville, the troupe performs a multitude of started the ensemble in 1970. About Founder and Artistic Director and Outreach Rae Geoffrey at (828) 257- works: “Prelude: Discipline is Freedom”; “The handsome, exotic, completely 4544 x307 or [email protected]. “Talking Drums”; “River Song”; “Dance- concentrated Fagan dancers move as if Garth Fagan Pre-performance discussions CollageForromie”; and “Translation they were born speaking Fagan’s language Garth Fagan has been called “a true Transition.” and they love the feel of it in their bod- original,” “a genuine leader,” and “one of Pre-performance discussions will be Now in its 37th season, and the ies,” wrote Elizabeth Kendall in Vogue. the great reformers of American dance.” held at 7:00 p.m. in the Forum at Pack recipient of a coveted New York “The dancers he has trained,” said David As another critic put it, “in the genealogy Place before each Garth Fagan Dance Governor’s Arts Award, the Rochester, Vaughan in Ballet Review, “are virtuosi, of modern dance, he’s started a whole Company performance. Free for ticket NY-based Garth Fagan Dance is cel- no doubt about it, and fearless too, able new branch of the family tree.” For his holders. path-breaking choreography for The Lion Garth Fagan Dance Company’s King, Fagan was awarded the prestigious Asheville performances are made pos- 1998 Tony Award for Best Choreography. sible by Performance Sponsors Wachovia He also received the 1998 Drama Desk and the Southern Arts Federation, and by Award, 1998 Outer Critics Circle Award, Dance Series Sponsors Tina & John Mc- III Corps Images 1998 Astaire Award, 2000 Laurence Ol- Guire and Hedy Fischer & Randy Shull. ivier Award, 2001 Ovation Award, and the “I am a veteran and I am quietly proud of my service.” 2004 Helpmann Award for his work on the Broadway musical, which opened in fall If you go 1997 to extraordinary critical praise. To obtain more information on Garth Master Class in Asheville Fagan Dance’s Asheville performance or On Monday March 3, dancers from to purchase tickets (Regular $32; Seniors the Garth Fagan Dance Company, in $30; Students $27; Student Rush day- conjunction with the Department of of-the-show with valid ID $10), call the Outreach and Education at the Diana theatre’s box office at (828) 257-4530 or Wortham Theatre offer a Master Class for visit www.dwtheatre.com.

Happy Swallowtail P-51 Mustang Alison Brown Quartet at Diana Wortham Theatre by James Cassara cclaimed progressive bluegrass bels of the last decade” and releasing eight banjo virtuoso Alison Brown re- critically-acclaimed albums including the turns to the mountains she loves 2001 Grammy-winner Fair Weather, this when she stops in Asheville, NC mother of two has maintained an inter- on March 8, 2008. national touring schedule, playing over Joining Quartet regulars 60 dates a year in the US and abroad. Her A John R. Burr (piano), and Garry previous Asheville performances met with West (bass) will be fiddler/mandolinist Joe tremendous response: Discriminating Craven and drummer Larry Atamanuik. music lovers are urged to act accordingly! Laundry Day, Khe Sanh The Fleet Together, The Quartet delivers a raucous evening of note perfect acoustic music If you go Photography, Digital Painting and Retouching that has been earning raves. Since found- ing Compass Records over a decade ago The Alison Brown Quartet at the Diana Brown has been a busy woman. In addi- Wortham Theater, Saturday, March 8, www.3corpsimages.com tion to running what Billboard Magazine 2008. 8pm tickets priced between $23-28 Lonnie Darr calls “one of the greatest independent la- for adults and $10 for children.

38 March 2008 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — Vol. 11, No. 7 RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE FINE ART

Frequently Asked Questions About The Fine Arts League by Anne Rawson 1) What do you feel the Fine Arts linas would like to play a part in bringing United States — ranging from New Eng- League does to help the community? back… the deeper beauty of the craft of art, land to Mississippi and Florida and in-be- Art adds depth and value to any and hopefully, that wondrously obscure tween. Artists are drawn to the school by community through the creativity. The path to art itself. All this requires only pa- the quality of the faculty, their knowledge work at the League provides an intrin- tience and will — and, of course, love.” of our founder and his work, Benjamin sic value to the community through Long, as well as the natural beauty and involvement in the creative process and 3) How serious must a student be to cultural environment of Asheville and the pursuit of beauty. take classes here — can it be for the surrounding area. But we also actively participate in weekend artist? hands-on work within our community. The Fine Arts League is a school 6) Who are your students — a rough We are pleased to find ourselves in the for professional artists. The rigors of the outline of the average person who River Arts District and to add our work program are for those who are willing to attends class — young or old, seri- throw their hearts as well as their skills ous or novice, etc.? professional life. When the opportunity to the creative mix of this area. Specifi- arose to apply for the position of Execu- cally the League recently participated into the program. We have just begun to The students defy any category; they take students who cannot attend full-time range in age from 16 to over 60. Students tive Director of this unique school I was in the Doors project with Mountain intrigued by the beauty of the work being Housing Opportunities but still want to study this are in various stages of artistic develop- curriculum — so we now ment when they join the League but all created and the challenges the school pre- by providing a door to be sented. Becoming more familiar with the auctioned. Through their have a program where a have the talent, resources and maturity to student/artist can study at complete the course. Suggested study at school, the faculty, students and the trust- art, faculty and students ees I was thrilled to become a member of are involved in numerous the League one course at a the League is 9 sessions (three per year); time. In addition, we do of- many students complete all nine sessions the League family and to add my skills to activities including work those of this remarkable group. on the local mural project, fer various workshops and while others attend fewer. work with an environmental courses throughout the year for serious hobbyists. 7) How did you get involved with the agencies, lectures as well as school? For more information contact providing lectures and art Quality teaching and Anne Rawson, Executive Director, the experience to study I have been involved in non-profits instruction at local schools. as a volunteer since I was a child and non- (828) 252-5050, www.fineartsleague.org, with known and respected [email protected] We have also worked profit work has been the main body of my with YMI to provide artists is always a welcome sketches for an upcoming addition to the on-going publication and recently classes. hosted a round-table discus- 4) Are there any pre- Call for tickets: sion on art in Asheville with requisites needed, any distinguished artists from experience or talent or 828.252.9223 our sister city in Russia. The can anyone be accepted www.safc.org League is working with lo- to the school? cal artists to create a mixed Acceptance to the media exhibit for next year. school is based upon num- Creativity and vision are ber of criteria. There is a essential tools for problem portfolio review in order solving and we look forward to understand the artistic Live Music by Brushfire Stankgrass! to working with our com- level of the student/art- munity to further a healthy ist. Equally important is Food, Drinks & Silent Auction community. the student’s ability to fit 2) What are the benefits within the context of this of having quality art school and work indepen- Friday, April 18, 2008 from 6-10 pm dently; a level of maturity is classes for Asheville? at the historic On Broadway in DowntownAsheville WNC and Asheville are needed to work through the known as an area rich in arts, rigorous and demanding curriculum. crafts and the performing Celebrate Earth Day with us! arts. We have Penland, John C. Campbell, In addition, we have heard from a Odyssey and so many other quality places number of artists that, for many reasons, Tickets are $35. to study. The Fine Arts League adds to this they are unable to attend full-time but rich mixture in providing a specific course want to study at the League. Therefore Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors! of study that speaks directly to the craft- we are now allowing students/artists to at- manship of fine art. tend on a part-time basis. They must still Our founder Ben Long speaks to go through the entire curriculum but can the value of our work: “From the very do this at their individual pace. With the incipient urges of beginning this form of new facility we are able to handle more art training, the notion to impart in-depth students and look forward to filling the knowledge of the materials of painting studios with artists. and drawing has been a powerful aspect 5) Do people come from around the of this type of education. This knowledge country to attend school here or is it has been neglected to a point of indiffer- designed with local artists in mind? ence, even loss.” At this time, past and current stu- “The Fine Arts League of the Caro- dents come from throughout the eastern

Vol. 11, No. 7 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine — March 2008 39