Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
More of what’s going around:
–Southern Living loves the Root Down food truck in Asheville.
–Bon Appetit says Buxton Hall down on the South Slope has one of the five best chicken sandwiches it has sampled all year.
–Bon Appetit also says that Hole Doughnuts in West Asheville has its dessert of the year: their molasses-bourbon doughnut.
-The Junction Restaurant & Bar in the River Arts District has announced a new addition to our evening offerings: the Chef’s Tasting Table, a trend around town in our restaurants. Here’s more:
The table is a gorgeous solid wood bar-height table created by The Old Wood Company. Its proximity to the kitchen will give diners both an unparalleled view of the working kitchen, as well as a unique opportunity to interact with Chef David Van Tassel and his team. “I’m excited that patrons will get a chance to see the fun, chaotic symphony that is our studio,” says Chef David. “It’s also a great opportunity to play with different, off-menu ingredients and techniques.” The five-course tasting menu will feature highlights of our seasonally driven nightly offerings (count on a few fun & unexpected twists) and will be determined by Chef David on daily basis. The Chef’s Tasting Table is available Wednesday – Saturday evenings by prior reservation only. Cost is $55/person, not including taxes, beverages or gratuity. The table seats up to four. Call 828.225.3497 for more information or to make a reservation.
–JB Media Institute is hosting a second Internet Marketing Bootcamp this year for those looking to develop and optimize their online presence. The JB Media Institute Summer Internet Marketing Bootcamp will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Goodwill Career Center in West Asheville. Tickets and details available here. For more information, contact Genna Harris, JB Media Institute Community Manager, at [email protected].
-The nonprofit MountainTrue and the French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson partner with a local brewery and outdoor gear-maker each month to brew a beer, organize a river clean-up and paddle the river. In June, Catawba Brewing Co and Astral, which worked together last year, teamed up again. Catawba pledged $1 from ever Astral Bootie Beer Session IPA to support Carson, and recently presented him with a check for $1,033.
–Twin Leaf Brewery and Zebulon Artisan Ales have come together to brew the next installment of the Brewing for Greenways collaboration series, a program that supports the Friends of Connect Buncombe (FOCB) efforts to create city and county-wide greenways, according to a press release. Drifter’s Escape Lager, a craft-brewed light lager, will be tapped on Friday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at Twin Leaf Brewing, located on 144 Coxe Avenue, Asheville. Both Twin Leaf Brewery head brewer and owner, Tim Weber, and Zebulon Artisan Ales co-owner, Mike Karnowski, were excited to brew the seventh installment in the series, the collaboration’s one-year-anniversary beer.
-Asheville rockers The Stump Mutts are set to perform live at The Orange Peel on Friday, Sept. 9, along with pop-rock trio Posh Hammer and electronic pop artist The Jellyrox. Doors at 7 p.m., Show at 8 p.m. Tickets here.
-Asheville guitar/drum duo Ahleuchatistas are heading out for another tour this month support of their still-smoking International Anthem release Arrebato.
-On Saturday Aug. 20, Hall Fletcher Elementary School in West Asheville is hosting the second annual “Slide the Fletch,” according to a press release. More:
This fundraiser will feature four large Slip-n-Slides, human bowling, baby-pool kickball, a giant inflatable waterslide, and a covered toddler area. Live music and food trucks will round out the fun outdoor event which is family friendly and open to all.
The almost two-acre field adjacent to Hall Fletcher, in the East West Asheville neighborhood, is a perfect place for slip-and-slides and summer time fun. All proceeds from the event will benefit Hall Fletcher Elementary.
The website – www.SlideTheFletch.com has more information about the event, offers online registration, and will be updated with food truck and musician information closer to the event. Registration will also be available on the morning of the event beginning at 10:30am. Participants will be provided wristbands and will be required to sign a waiver prior to sliding. Those under 18 MUST have an adult present to sign their waiver. Local businesses are invited to sponsor this event by contacting [email protected].
There is a suggested donation of $5 for sliders under 18 and $8 for those 18 and over. All proceeds benefit Hall Fletcher Elementary School.
–The Grail Moviehouse announces that this week they open four new films – Captain Fantastic, Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words, Summertime, Holy Hell – and American Graffiti as our Canon series film. Here’s more:
Captain Fantastic:
Determined to shield his family from the decadence and distractions of modern life, an eccentric father (Viggo Mortensen) raises his six children in a remote forest in the Pacific Northwest. But when his wife dies, the kids are forced to interact with the outside world for the first time as he takes them on a road trip to New Mexico for her funeral. Kathryn Hahn, Steve Zahn, Frank Langella, and Ann Dowd co-star. Written and directed by Matt Ross
Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words
Interviews, concert performances and archival footage offer insight into the life and career of musician Frank Zappa.
Summertime:
Getting rave reviews Sensual and elegant, Catherine Corsini’s SUMMERTIME follows Carole and Delphine as they fall in love against the backdrop of early feminist activism in 1971 France. After living in the city, Delphine is called home to help with her family farm in the countryside and is forced to choose between her responsibility to them and the life of love she had in Paris with Carole. An enlightening tale about the infatuation of first love and its universal themes.
Holy Hell: – Special Q&A shows Friday and Saturday night at 7PM
watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/SX2kB19eTbg
In 1985, recent film school graduate Will Allen became a member of The Buddhafield, a Los Angeles area spiritual group. Also acting as the group’s official videographer, he began to document their activities, which centered on the mysterious leader they called Michel, or The Teacher. Over time, the group’s dark side began to surface as total devotion turned to paranoia, until finally, unexpected truths about their enlightened leader were revealed — all in front of Allen’s camera. This incredible, 22-year archive of video footage became the basis for HOLY HELL. Now, for the first time since he left the group, Allen turns the camera on himself and asks fellow ex-cult members to come to terms with their past and the unbelievable deceit they experienced.
*On August 12 and 13 we will be joined by Phillipe Coquet, Asheville resident, former cult member, and one of the principle interviewees in the film. He will be available for a Q&A session following the film.
American Graffiti – Grail Canon Series – Shows All Week – Check the schedule for times
Part of our Grail Canon Series – American Graffiti is truly an American Classic. On the last day of summer vacation in 1962, friends Curt (Richard Dreyfuss), Steve (Ronny Howard), Terry (Charles Martin Smith) and John (Paul Le Mat) cruise the streets of small-town California while a mysterious disc jockey (Wolfman Jack) spins classic rock’n’roll tunes. It’s the last night before their grown-up lives begin, and Steve’s high-school sweetheart, a hot-to-trot blonde, a bratty adolescent and a disappearing angel in a Thunderbird provide all the excitement they can handle.
