Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
More of what’s going around:
-Asheville music lovers are mourning the sudden death of Col. Bruce Hampton, who collapsed Monday night while he was on stage at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. Hampton was playing with an all-star cast, including Asheville native Warren Haynes, at a show celebrating Hampton’s 70th birthday (which was April 30). Hampton played through Asheville on a regular basis, including as a guest at Haynes’ annual Christmas Jam. He’ll be sorely missed. Here’s the JamBase story on Hampton’s passing.
-The 2017 Burners and BBQ mural event is looking for crowdfunding support. The mural project is set for May 19, 20 and 21.
-Word on the street: Creperie Bouchon, the Lexington Avenue restaurant owned by Asheville restaurateur Michel Baudouin, has changed hands. Anybody have any further details? The ever-popular Bouchon remains up and running on Lexington Ave.
-Joe Kendrick, the director of programming and operations at WNCW, is continuing is documentary film project, called Southern Song and Stories, which spotlights local musicians. Here’s my story from November 2015 about Joe’s great work on the series.
-The French Broad River Festival is this weekend in Hot Springs; musical guests include Keller Williams, Larry Keel Experience, Sol Driven Train, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Billy Cardine & North of Too Far Downs, Empire Strikes Brass and more.
-HempX Asheville will be held this year at Franny’s Farm in Leicester on Sept. 22-23.
-The Western North Carolina Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has announced a new forum series, “Defending Your Civil Liberties,” according to a press release. More:
This series of discussions will highlight issues surrounding the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
The kickoff event for the forum series will focus on the First Amendment, specific to free speech and free press. The event will take place from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10 at The BLOCK Off Biltmore on 39 S. Market Street, Asheville, NC 28801.
A panel of representatives from different expressive media – online news reporting, radio broadcasting, storytelling, and book selling – will speak to the freedoms and responsibilities associated with free speech and free press. The panel discussion will be moderated by Frank Goldsmith, civil rights attorney and WNC Chapter of the ACLU board member. Panelists will include:
Angie Newsome, Executive Director of Carolina Public Press
David Joe Miller, Storyteller and Spoken Word Artist
K.P. Whaley, General Manager of Asheville FM
Melanie McNair, Assistant Manager and Author Event Coordinator of Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café
Local music artist and ACLU supporter, The Moon and You, will accompany the kickoff event with a musical performance. The “Defending Your Civil Liberties” forum series is free and open to the public.
