The Asheville Ballet introduces audiences to the wonders of dance for another season. PAGE 16 The Asheville Lyric Opera will feature five main stage events for its 13th season. PAGE 17 HART presents the comedy Hay Fever, along with a full year of sweeping plays and musicals. PAGE 28 Elizabeth Foley pursues her passion for art and chocolate as manager and part owner of the NC Stage presents Chocolate Fetish. PAGE 23 Hedwig and tHe angry incH PLUS: Starring Michael Diana Wortham at Pack Place page 3 Susan West is the visionary Grovewood Gallery page 18 behind blue’s gallery, located Sheldon, AKA Cookie 16 Patton Fine Art Gallery page 19 in a historic cottage in the LaRue. page 6 Blackbird Frame & Art page 21 heart of Biltmore Village. Asheville Symphony Orchestra page 36 PAGE 24 complete listing on page 5 August 2011 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — Vol. 14, No. 12 PRINTS COLOR RAPID RIVER ARTS stage preview Diana Wortham Theatre 011/01 MAINSTAGE SEASON he Diana BY JOHN ELLIS Wortham Theatre at Pack Place Mainstage 2012) music is indica- Series presents a tive of its members’ first Twide range of top touring loves: gypsy, swing and artists in music, theater, klezmer music. dance, comedy, and other The 2011/2012 performing arts in an Mainstage Theatre Series intimate, 500-seat hall. features four compel- The 2011/2012 Aquila Theatre Company – The ling performances. L.A. Mainstage Series season Importance of Being Earnest. Theatre Works presents opens on September 24, The Rivalry (November 2011 with the Upright Citizens Brigade 16 & 17, 2011), Norman Corwin’s riveting – they’ll bring down the house and perhaps depiction of the Lincoln Douglas debates. the whole city with their outrageous sketch Enjoy an unforgettable night of litera- comedy. This performance is part of the ture and performance with Public Radio “Laugh Out Loud” Series, new to Diana International’s Selected Shorts (January Wortham Theatre this year. 28, 2012) featuring founder and host Isaiah The LOL Series includes Shakespeare Sheffer. Aquila Theatre Company will stage on Trial (October 27, 2011), an unwitting two performances. The Importance of Being Bill Shakespeare must defend his writing Earnest (February 3, 2012), Oscar Wilde’s to a court of some of his most memorable wildly funny portrayal of the British upper characters. The Adam Growe Comedy & class. The following night the renowned Quiz Showe (November 12, 2011) features company breathes fresh life into Shake- Adam Growe, host of Discovery Channel speare’s Macbeth (February 4, 2012). Canada’s hit show Cash Cab. With the right The 2011/2012 Mainstage Celtic Series answers, audience members can win money presents four unforgettable bands in the right out of Adam’s pocket. Scots-Irish tradition. Irish-American super group Solas (February 10, 2012) is ranked among the “most exciting bands anywhere silver in the world” by Irish Echo. With its bass driven grooves and inven- tive arrangements, Lúnasa (March 24, 2012) & was recently featured on Natalie Merchant’s landmark project, Leave Your Sleep. With gold lush orchestration, Téada (May 11, 2012) revels in the vibrant, traditional music of The Upright Citizens Brigade touring improv Ireland. Marvel at the sound of three world- comedy group. class musicians when The Teetotallers fea- The 2011/2012 Mainstage Dance Series turing John Doyle, Martin Hayes and Kevin presents world-renowned hip-hop dance Crawford (May 24, 2012) perform. company Rennie Harris Puremovement The 2011/2012 Mainstage Special At- (February 23 & 24, 2012), and Diavolo tractions Series showcases five performances Dance Theater (March 13 & 14, 2012) that cross multiple genres. Doc Watson & whose spectacular gymnasts, dancers, actors David Holt (October 15, 2011) share their and surrealistic props create a sense of dar- love of bluegrass, traditional American ing and risk-taking. Keigwin + Company music and stories. ‘Tis the season for A (March 30 & 31, 2012) will showcase a Swannanoa Solstice (December 18, 2011), knockout fusion of pop culture and high art. featuring Al Petteway, Amy White and The 2011/2012 Mainstage Music Series Robin Bullock who are joined by a wealth presents Julie Fowlis (November 11, 2011), of storytellers, dancers and special guest an intriguing performer whose crystalline musicians. vocals and Scottish Gaelic roots have earned Pianist Christopher O’Riley (March her the title of BBC Radio 2’s Folk Singer of 3, 2012) is not to be missed. Irish-born and the Year (2008). Dubbed “Musical Family of now-Asheville resident Danny Ellis holds America” by presidential decree, audiences spellbound with his powerful work The DePue Brothers Band (January 19, 800 Voices (March 9, 2012). The following 2012) gives new meaning to the term pro- night Danny Ellis and his band perform An Oxidized silver gressive bluegrass. Catch incredible singer- Irishman in America (March 10, 2012). and 18k gold songwriters Susan Werner & David Wilcox The 2011/2012 Mainstage Young Audi- www.jewelsthatdance.com (January 21, 2012) as they easily slide from ences Series is open to school groups, home- jazz to folk and pop. Sagapool’s (March 22, ‘Diana Wortham’ continued on page 4 (AYWOOD3Ts!SHEVILLE .#s s(OURS-ON 3AT Vol. 14, No. 12 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — August 2011 PRINTS COLOR RAPID RIVER ARTS noteworthy Meet the Artist Tour with Hoss Haley oss Haley’s rary feel and personality artwork is all of the city today. NOVEMBER 4-13, 2011 over Asheville The Meet the Artist TICKETS: $5 this summer Tour with Hoss Haley, — an impres- begins on the stage un- www.aicff.org Hsive granite and bronze der the pergola in front fountain in Pack Square, of the County Court- a shiny stainless steel per- house and City Hall at A TREAsure trove of 70 gola over the stage with 5:30 p.m. on Monday, FILMS from 25 countries, the County Courthouse August 8, rain or shine. and City Hall as a back- After the tour full of adventure, surprises, belly drop, a magazine cover Fountain created by Hoss Haley. Posana Café invites you laughs and stories that are sure to in July and an exhibit at to walk across the street make kids think and see the world Blue Spiral 1 Gallery through September. and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres created Grab this rare opportunity to meet the to satisfy your palette on a summer evening. in a brand new way. man behind these public and private works Continue to ask questions and relax with a of art on Monday, August 8 when Hoss beverage from the cash bar. Above: Tally Ho! Mobile. Left: Q and A. Below (L-R): into the Haley conducts a Meet the Artist Tour of Woods and Under the Sea, Legends come Alive his two works of art in Pack Square Park, in Asheville. Both pieces interpret the land- IF YOU The tour with Hoss and reception scape surrounding the city. In the case of the GO at Posana Café are $25 per person. fountain, over five different ones have vied $15 for members of the Friends for attention in Pack Square since the park of Pack Square Park. Space is limited was created over a century ago. Haley knew so make your reservation today by calling he wanted something different from all of (828) 252-2300 by August 7. Everyone must Locations: Ashevillle Pizza & Brewing, Posana Cafe, and Tryon Theater them — something reflecting a contempo- have a ticket to attend this event. For details visit www.aicff.org or call (828) 298-4789 ‘Diana Wortham’ continued from page 3 INTERNATIONAL schoolers, and families. This year’s series includes: Yellow Brick Road (October 13 DAY OF PEACE &14, 2011); Seussical the Musical (October Dedicated to 18, 2011); Shakespeare On Trial (October Peace Lovers Everywhere 26 & 27, 2011); The Rivalry – The Lincoln Douglas Debates (November 16 & 17, 2011); Madeline and the Bad Hat (Novem- Wednesday, ber 21 & 22, 2011); Billy Jonas (December 19, 2011); Macbeth (February 6, 2012); September 21 Rennie Harris Puremovement (February 24, 2012); Diavolo (March 13, 2012); and 4:30 to 7:30 PM Charlotte’s Web (March 19 & 20, 2012). A Special Performance to Benefit The Diana Wortham Theatre – Possibilities: An Pack Square Evening with Linda Lavin & Friends – takes Downtown Asheville place April 28, 2012. The 8:30 p.m. perfor- mance is preceded by a special 7:30 p.m. VIP FREE MUSIC reception. Tickets for all performances available Open to All after August 18. Purchase three or more shows and take 10% off all regularly priced Great Folks tickets; purchase five or more shows and Speaking take 15% all regularly priced tickets; and purchase seven or more shows and take 20% Great Words off all regularly priced tickets. Youth Happenings Pinwheels for Peace IF YOU Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack GO Place. Tickets on sale August 18 for all events. For a season brochure Rachael (828) 505-9425 or more informaiton please call the box Come Declare PEACE in Asheville! Kasha (828) 252-1967 office at (828) 257-4530 or visit www. [email protected] internationaldayofpeaceasheville.wordpress.com dwtheatre.com. August 2011 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — Vol. 14, No. 12 PRINTS COLOR RAPID RIVER ARTS Joseph Rathbone Recommends ello! This month I went to see RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE BY JOSEPH RATHBONE Harry Potter and the Deathly AGE 12 Established in 1997 • Volume Fourteen, Number Twelve H Hallows Part Two, and I give it five stars. If you are even a small fan of Harry Potter you will absolutely love movies I compare it to AUGUST 2011 3 Performance this movie. the book, and I must www.rapidrivermagazine.com Diana Wortham Theatre . I have read all of the Harry Potter say that Harry Potter The Asheville Ballet .