Take your heart and lock it and small chest, hide it in the back of a bank vault, it won’t matter at all. Dark City Kings will steal your heart with their sunny goodness and their dark drunken debauchery, boisterous sing-a-long originals, lovelorn outlaw country, and revved up 80s torch songs.

When Black Mountain’s legendary Dark City Kings are not robbing banks and breaking hearts they are a six-piece band known for their wild weekly showcases at the town brewery, blasting away energetic and debauched originals as well as reinvigorated covers from John Prine’s “Angel of Montgomery” to The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven”.

Comprised of talented members of other area bands such as The Egg Eaters, Band Banker, and Tin Roof Echo, it’s absolutely true that every gang has a face (Rosie – vocals), a smooth-talker (Bayla – bass), a demolitions expert (Joe – acoustic guitar), the muscle (Craig – percussion/harp), the person who actually knows what they’re doing (JR – lead guitar), and the vagabond rogue (Johnny Guitar – rhythm guitar).

Every show this band brings a sense of danger, a truly bad attitude, & raucous laughter, they are total rock stars – and then they’re gone in the morning. The Dark City Kings – now more than ever!

Live Music at Hickory Tavern, 9:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m.

– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY

VELVET TRUCKSTOP
From the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Velvet Truckstop is a seasoned powerhouse that delivers a high-energy mix of Southern Rock and jam fueled Cosmic Americana  every time they take the stage! VT has recorded / performed live with many notable musicians; including Tom Constanten (  Grateful Dead) , Ike Stubblefield (Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia Band)  Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and John Keane ( Widespread Panic) .

PYLETRIBE

Combining the iconic talents of legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle, and the infectious vocal and guitar licks of son Chris Pyle, PYLETRIBE pushes the creative boundaries with their percussion influenced style dubbed “southern fried tribal boogie.”

The Asheville Celtic Festival, a Winter Indoor/Outdoor Celtic Festival bringing the Celtic Spirit of the Seven Nations to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, will be held at the Davis Center at the WNC Agricultural Center giving us a comfortable setting in the winter months.

• Feel the Vibes of Early Settlers from the Celtic Nations   

• Participate in Entertaining Battles and Performances

• Learn About Celtic History and Traditions

• Listen to LIVE Celtic Music

• Explore your Family Background

• See Characters in 1700 Period Dress 

• Shop the Celtic Crafts and Buy a Kilt

• Eat Traditional Foods

• Drink the Stouts & Ales 

• Rest by the Fire 

The beginning of the year is a great time for Ashevillians of all ages to explore, connect, and discover. Asheville Parks & Recreation  (APR)’s new winter-spring program guide is filled with registration dates, information, and listings for hundreds of fitness and active living offerings, sports and clubs, arts and culture programs, out-of-school time activities, outdoor recreation, special events, parks and facilities’ hours of operation, and more.

The free guide is available at all APR community centers and online as a PDF or enhanced digital flipbook. Community members may also download the APR app for iPhone or search programs on avlREC.com.

Winter-Spring 2023 Guide Highlights

• Exercise at fitness centers with a free membership (through June 30, 2023).

• Walk, roll, or run your way to 50 miles in February and March during the Fit 50 Challenge for a free T-shirt.

• Celebrate Black Legacy Month with food, art, and festivals throughout the city in February.

• Meet neighbors over cards, board games, bingo, trivia contests, and community meals.

• Get an up-close look at big trucks, small trucks, transit buses, construction rigs, rescue vehicles, and public works equipment during Truck City AVL on April 15.

• Experience the fun, fellowship, fitness, arts, and competition of Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and Silver Arts Classic for local adults over 50..

• Flex creativity at art, painting, writing, scrapbooking, and crafting classes.

• Connect with neighbors over sports such as basketball, flag football, volleyball, pickleball, tennis, and archery for kids, teens, and adults.

• Enjoy the honor of dirty hands with community garden workdays and Green Thumbs Garden Club at Grove Street Community Center’s greenhouse.

• Witness the power of gravity at the Montford Pinewood Derby in May.

• Refine square, tap, line, and West African dance skills at multiple locations.

• And so much more!

TFAC invites all artists: painters, sculptors, writers, performers & more — to a casual weekly drop-in gathering on Saturday mornings at 9 AM to share your works in progress, alert others, and chat about art and what’s happening in your community. The first weekly Coffee is Saturday, August 20 at 9 am. No RSVP needed, just drop by! Free parking available on Melrose Avenue, behind and alongside TFAC.

Join us for this special program to help celebrate Black History Month. This concert features some wonderful works for violin, cello, and piano by some neglected black composers, including some fun ragtime arrangements by Scott Joplin; two Suites of Spiritual arrangements by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Undine Smith Moore; and Blues-inspired pieces by Florence Price and William Grant Still. This is music filled with the pain and anguish of an oppressed people, but also powerful melodies, inspirational themes, and an exciting rhythmic drive. The wonderful Borowsky siblings—Emmanuel on violin and Frances on cello—are back to perform these sadly neglected, but very soulful works of music.

Nobody’s Darling String Band is here every Saturday from 4-6! Stop in for an afternoon libation and enjoy the ladies picking’ away on the stage!

DEEP RIVER PLAYS THE EAGLES 20 GREATEST HITS !!!!!

DEEP RIVER , Asheville’s Premier Country Vocal Group, will pay homage to the Southern California band that started the country rock genre, the Eagles, by telling their story in words and songs, album-by-album, from their debut album in 1972 simply called ‘Eagles’ to their ‘Long Road Out Of Eden’ album in 2007.

The three women who front Deep River will perform all the vocals, and the Band will add a 3rd guitarist for a total of 7 pieces in order to create that iconic Eagles sound, and take the audience on an unforgettable American musical journey.

Celebrating 31 years of making music in 2023, Deep River is fronted by three women who sing all the lead and harmony vocals. All but one of our talented instrumentalists are also music instructors at the Asheville Music School.

Deep River has sung with Vince Gill, opened for Kathy Mattea and Mark Wills. One of our Nashville-era original songs, ‘Civil War’, has been played by KISS Country 99: https://www.reverbnation.com/deepriver/song/1478838-civil-war 

Here’s a composite video of Deep River’s Eagles show: https://youtu.be/buAVPHUnMXg 

Visit The Artists Website

Heavy Ticket Sales Are Anticipated.

Thus, advance ticket purchases are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!!!!!

The beginning of the year is a great time for Ashevillians of all ages to explore, connect, and discover. Asheville Parks & Recreation  (APR)’s new winter-spring program guide is filled with registration dates, information, and listings for hundreds of fitness and active living offerings, sports and clubs, arts and culture programs, out-of-school time activities, outdoor recreation, special events, parks and facilities’ hours of operation, and more.

The free guide is available at all APR community centers and online as a PDF or enhanced digital flipbook. Community members may also download the APR app for iPhone or search programs on avlREC.com.

Winter-Spring 2023 Guide Highlights

• Exercise at fitness centers with a free membership (through June 30, 2023).

• Walk, roll, or run your way to 50 miles in February and March during the Fit 50 Challenge for a free T-shirt.

• Celebrate Black Legacy Month with food, art, and festivals throughout the city in February.

• Meet neighbors over cards, board games, bingo, trivia contests, and community meals.

• Get an up-close look at big trucks, small trucks, transit buses, construction rigs, rescue vehicles, and public works equipment during Truck City AVL on April 15.

• Experience the fun, fellowship, fitness, arts, and competition of Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games and Silver Arts Classic for local adults over 50..

• Flex creativity at art, painting, writing, scrapbooking, and crafting classes.

• Connect with neighbors over sports such as basketball, flag football, volleyball, pickleball, tennis, and archery for kids, teens, and adults.

• Enjoy the honor of dirty hands with community garden workdays and Green Thumbs Garden Club at Grove Street Community Center’s greenhouse.

• Witness the power of gravity at the Montford Pinewood Derby in May.

• Refine square, tap, line, and West African dance skills at multiple locations.

• And so much more!

Join us for an all-levels yoga experience and stay afterward for some community!

Instructor: Claudia Strauss

No experience necessary, all levels welcome.

Please enter at the Catawba Ave entrance, follow the hall to enter.

Bring a mat.

– AGES 18+
– SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE

BURLESQUE BRUNCH

Burlesque Brunch is a monthly burlesque and bellydance show with a classic speakeasy feel. Join our dancing dames and dandies every third Sunday of the month for a little singin’, strippin’, and sippin’ starting at noon. It’s a Sunday afternoon to delight the senses!

**Ticket price covers entry, brunch is not included in price.

– ALL AGES
– SEATED SHOW
– LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE

THE GIBSON BROTHERS
There’s a reason why Ricky Skaggs pulled Eric and Leigh Gibson off the stage at the Ryman two decades ago and offered to produce their debut record. The same thing that led David Ferguson and Grammy Award winning producer and Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach to co-write and produce their 14th album “Mockingbird” (2018) and release it on his own label Easy Eye Sound alongside cultural icons such as Hank Williams Jr. and Dr. John: the Gibson Brothers are the real deal. They can pick. They can sing. And they can write a damn good country song. They’ve won about every bluegrass award you can name and released albums on almost every premier Americana label you can think of including Sugar Hill and Rounder, and, if that’s not enough, their songs have been recorded by bluegrass legends no less than Del McCoury. It’s a resume almost anybody in country music would be proud to have. But despite all of this, the Gibson Brothers are not yet household names. Their latest album, “Darkest Hour,” produced by dobro master Jerry Douglas might just change that.

As soon as you hear Leigh singing with Alison Krauss [“I Feel The Same Way As You”] on the new project you realize that his voice is as good as anyone in music today. Add the brother harmony to that and they have something truly unique. While “Mockingbird” featured gorgeous production, recreating the sound on stage was difficult. “We put together a little band to go out and try to recreate it,” Eric told me, but we couldn’t. We would have to have such a huge band to try to recreate that record, but we did the best we could.”

Douglas—who has won 14 Grammy awards and backed up everyone from Ray Charles to Paul Simon and George Jones—wanted to make a record they could actually play on the road. So he picked the best songs (out of dozens) and squirreled them away in Sound Emporium’s Studio B.
But then the pandemic hit. “We did our last shows in March of 2020,” Eric told me. “We were in Nashville the week everything was shutting down. It was surreal, but Jerry was like, ‘Guys, the world’s going crazy. Let’s let this be our little cocoon.’ And we did. We cut all of the acoustic stuff and then went home and didn’t play any more gigs until things started opening. Then we went back and finished the record with Jerry in February of 2021.”

The result is arguably the strongest record The Gibson Brothers have ever made. The songs recorded in the first recording period featured Mike Barber (bass), Justin Moses (mandolin), Eamon McGloughlin (fiddle), and of course, Jerry Douglas, adding in John Gardner (drums), Guthrie Trapp (electric guitar), and Todd Parks (bass) for the final tracks, “Darkest Hour” showcases just how easily Eric and Leigh move from what Dan Auerbach dubbed “country soul” (“I Go Driving”) to high octane bluegrass (“What a Difference A Day Makes” and “Dust”) with Douglas always keeping the spotlight on the songs themselves. “That’s what I love about those guys,” Douglas told me, “they are just great songwriters.”

CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS WITH US!   This is one of our favorite times of the year, as we revamp our menu to reflect and celebrate Cajun and Creole cuisine on… Monday, February 20th and Tuesday February 21st.  We will also have some amazing traditional New Orleans cocktails! Please note that our regular menu will not be available. COURTYARD reservations will include live music by Les Chats Violets starting at 6pm.

Acoustic guitarist, JAY BROWN hosts our bi-weekly Local Live series featuring a variety of talented local musicians. Jay grew up playing folk guitar with his parents and has continued to pursue a career in music as a singer-songwriter and roots musician.

Ages 18+

Silversun Pickups release their sixth album, Physical Thrills, produced by Butch Vig via their label, New Machine Recordings. Brian Aubert of the band shares about the album: “This record is alive. It sits somewhere in between a collection of songs and an imaginary friend. A friend that from March of 2020 to April of 2021 would not only introduce itself to me but keep me company through that time of intense isolation. A friend that would remind me that in this instance, the whole world was feeling the same way as well. A comforting, playful, sometimes frightened, often delighted friend. A friend that was finally introduced to Butch Vig, once we got vaccinated, and blew through his studio like a tornado made of cotton candy, leaving little pieces of residue everywhere. But most importantly, this friend REALLY doesn’t give a fuck. I know. That sounds brash. I just mean it’s a thing that is truly free. And now, this little living head space no longer visits me. I visit it through this album. I hope you like it. My friend wouldn’t care. Little rascal.” Physical Thrills is available for purchase on all formats here.

The band also shares a track-by-track guide to the album via Consequence, who says of the album: “Helmed by legendary producer Butch Vig (Nirvana, Garbage), the new LP sees the veteran quartet finding new avenues to push the envelope within their well-established sound. The record feels universally current…depicting the paradoxical bittersweetness that comes with significant change.” Read it here.

Silversun Pickups recently shared “Alone On A Hill”, the latest single and video. Bassist Nikki Monninger’s vocals are featured on the song and video, revealing, “This song exposes a side I didn’t know I had in me. It felt freeing, especially with everything going on in the past couple of years. I’m grateful everyone gave me so much support during the recording process as I am a bit timid when it comes to hearing the sound of my own voice.  Bri just kept telling me to channel my inner Kate Bush.” Listen to the song here, and watch the Suzie Vlcek-directed video here. The band also shared the video for the first single from Physical Thrills, “Scared Together,” directed by Claire Marie Vogel. Watch it here.

Silversun Pickups recently announced their 21-date headlining tour in support of their forthcoming album, Physical Thrills (August 19^th, New Machine Recordings). On the “Physical Thrills” tour, the band will perform in cities including San Diego, Los Angeles, Boston, New York City, Atlanta, and Nashville (full dates below). Tickets for all dates are now on sale here. Silversun Pickups have partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold will go to the PLUS1 x Noise For Now Reproductive Health Access Fund supporting access to reproductive rights and services for all.

Silversun Pickups’ sixth album Physical Thrills came together as a serendipitous accident during a dark time. The LA band began 2020 by touring in support of their record released the previous year, Widow’s Weeds; however, the pandemic halted those plans, with the guitarist and singer Brian Aubert, bassist Nikki Monninger, drummer Christopher Guanlao, and keyboardist Joe Lester finding themselves stuck at home. In that resting period, Aubert wasn’t focused on Silversun Pickups; instead, he channeled his energy into taking care of his son.

As much as his focus initially shifted from the band, he ultimately couldn’t escape the new melodies germinating in his head. “I would sneak off and start writing these songs, and I didn’t know what they’re for because I didn’t really think about Silversun on any level. I was just doing it to keep myself calm and keep myself company,” says Aubert. The songs were so different from what he’d previously written for Silversun Pickups that he initially thought he was writing a musical. There were “dream shanties,” gentler vocals, horror-inspired sounds, and other exciting new elements coming to mind.

When Aubert revealed the new material to his bandmates, they readily embraced the new direction—and so did producer Butch Vig. The band reunited with Vig, who first worked with Silversun Pickups on Widow’s Weeds, recording the album at the famed producer and Garbage-member’s home. Once Aubert made plans to visit Vig and play him what he had, the music began pouring out. He immediately began recording with Vig, having the rest of the band join later.

Physical Thrills was colored by the pandemic, but isn’t meant to be solemn; instead, Aubert explores his own comfort in the temporary, newfound isolation. There are tracks with shoegaze-infused distorted synths and guitar, like opener “Stillness (Way Beyond)”; bouncy, pop-tinged danceable tunes (“Empty Nest,” “Hereafter (Way After)”); pared-down ballads (“Alone On A Hill”); and a collection of “dream shanties,” as Aubert refers to them.

With such an exploratory record, the band members felt free to traverse new ground. Guanlao, who usually shies away from fills on drums, took inspiration from The Beatles documentary Get Back, throwing some into Physical Thrills, influenced by Ringo Starr’s work on Let It Be. Whereas for Monninger, this record allowed her to showcase her vocals at the forefront more than in previous work. Lester also took a larger role in composition on this record, writing the piano part for “We Won’t Come Out,” which became the backbone for the song. The making of Physical Thrills also allowed for whimsical moments, including Aubert creating a distinct tapping noise by incorporating the sound of drumsticks hitting Vig’s Grammy in “Hidden Moon,” and playfully pelting balloons at Monninger while she played “Hereafter (Way After)” on bass to create less tension.

While this record features such an eclectic mix of melodies, each song is interconnected with each other, meant to be experienced as a whole body of work. “All of our records are designed for people who want to listen to them all the way through and hopefully stick around with it,” says Aubert. “After a while, maybe you’ll catch on to the little things—not just the [pattern of] the dream songs, but maybe you’ll hear that, and you’ll hear a melody from the first song in the last song. There are crossover things happening.” Monninger adds, “We’ve been together for twenty-two years; it’s really interesting that we still love doing this. We know that we’re fortunate to still be together after all these years, seeking out the silver lining. I feel like we still have many more things to say, and we’re so happy with how this album turned out.”

Support:
paris jackson

Ages 18+

Silversun Pickups Physical Thrills VIP Package

• One general admission ticket
• Early entry into the venue
• Access to an intimate preshow soundcheck party with Silversun Pickups
• Limited edition lenticular Physical Thrills poster: autographed by Silversun Pickups
• Specially designed Silversun Pickups tote bag
• Commemorative VIP laminate with lanyard
• Limited availability

Every Tuesday 1/2 off bottles of wine at 131 Main Restaurant

CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS WITH US!   This is one of our favorite times of the year, as we revamp our menu to reflect and celebrate Cajun and Creole cuisine on… Monday, February 20th and Tuesday February 21st.  We will also have some amazing traditional New Orleans cocktails! Please note that our regular menu will not be available. COURTYARD reservations will include live music by Les Chats Violets starting at 6pm.

This live streamed virtual event is free but registration is required. Please click here to register. The link required to attend will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.

If you decide to attend and to purchase books, we ask that you purchase from Malaprop’s. When you do this you make it possible for us to continue hosting author events and you keep more dollars in our community. You may also support our work by purchasing a gift card or making a donation of any amount below. Thank you!

YOURS TRULY
Someday, your life story is likely to be boiled down to a few lines. If you leave things to chance, your obituary is almost sure to be solemn, formulaic, and full of errors—an obligatory final chapter written in haste by others. James R. Hagerty, longtime obit writer for The Wall Street Journal, knows how to get the job done right: Do it yourself, starting now, while you still can.  In this heartfelt and reassuring guide, Hagerty explains how to preserve your personal history—from crafting a brief obituary for newspapers and websites, to a more thoughtful and detailed mini-memoir for those close to you. Through his personal stories, on-the-job anecdotes, and insights, you will learn what to include, what to leave out, and how to provide historical context, record oral histories and make the most of details, all with candor and wit. Best of all, you’ll find that reviewing your life story helps you think about what you’re doing with your time on Earth and whether you’re on the right path. It isn’t too late to improve the narrative with a stronger ending. Telling your story your way can be the best gift you ever give to friends and loved ones—and yourself.

James R. (Bob) Hagerty, who grew up in North Dakota, has been a staff reporter and editor for The Wall Street Journal for more than 40 years in the U.S., Europe and Asia. For the past seven years, he has written nearly 1,000 obituaries as the WSJ’s lead obituary writer. His guide to writing life stories, Yours Truly, grew out of that work as he noticed that many telling details and anecdotes are lost when people die. His advice: Don’t leave it to friends and families to sum up your life. For all their good intentions, they’re almost certain to make a hash of it. He also urges people to help others preserve their stories before it’s too late.

– ALL AGES
– STANDING ROOM ONLY

THELMA AND THE SLEAZE

Thelma and the Sleaze is an independent all-female, queer southern rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. The group is the brainchild of lead vocalist and guitar player Lauren “LG” Gilbert and features an evolving cast of A-team players to back her up for an unforgettable live experience.

LG is the embodiment of hustle. As the driving force behind Thelma and The Sleaze, she is the songwriter, the visionary, the take-no-shit-from-anyone front woman that is single handedly keeping rock and roll alive. Thelma and The Sleaze has been touring the US for years building a legion of fans, affectionally called her creepers. The growing social media presence, the hit podcast, the features with Yamaha Guitars are really all the result of her incredible songwriting, visceral guitar playing, and the guts to deliver on her vision of what Rock and Roll should be.

LG has also launched two successful seasons of their Podcast “Queen of Shit Mountain”. Each episode features legendary musicians such as Tanya Tucker, Brittany Howard, Juliana Hatfield, Kate Pierson, Lori Barber, Patty Schemel, Mary Ramirez and Margo Price.