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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Here’s more of what’s going on:

-Orange Peel air conditioning: It looks like one of Asheville’s most beloved music venues is finally installing air conditioning. That’s big news for many a music fan who has endured what can be a stuffy space, especially in summer. The music venue, which opened in 2002, has gotten by with a giant fan that many a sweaty music fan has stood under. But that will likely change soon, according to an Orange Peel spokesman Robb McAdams, who strongly suggested AC was coming to the Peel during an appearance earlier this week on the AshevilleFM community talk show Slumber Party, hosted by Jake Frankel, Michele Scheve and Ali McGhee.

-Orange Peel history: Folks at The Orange Peel have also been hard at work on an extensive exhibition detailing the rich history of The Orange Peel’s location on Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville, said McAdams, the music club’s assistant office manager and social media manager. The big building at the corner of Biltmore and Hilliard avenues was home to a roller rink called Skateland Rollerdome in the 1950s. In the 1960s, it morphed into a series of RB/soul music clubs that had colors like “orange,” “jade” and “emerald” in their names, according to a history on The Orange Peel’s website. During that era, the club hosted acts like The Commodores and The Bar-Kays. The Orange Peel was the last club to be located there before shutting down. The building remained vacant for years before Public Interest Projects, a downtown redevelopment company owned by philanthropist Julian Price, stepped in. McAdams told the Slumber Party crew that The Orange Peel had come across a treasure trove of new historical material that it’s been crafting into an exhibit that will be presented soon.

-The Orange Peel’s new outdoor pop-up spot: Orange Peel Events, The Orange Peel’s outdoor show sister company, will present a Lord Huron concert on what they’re calling an “urban pop-up stage.” The stage will be set up behind the building at 45 S.French Broad Ave. that is home to Hopey & Co., Little Bee Thai restaurant, Grail Moviehouse and more. The July 13 concert will include an outdoor stage complete with beer tents and food trucks. Other fun upcoming shows include Gov’t Mule at The Meadow at Highland Brewing, featuring Asheville native rock ‘n roller Warren Haynes on July 3; Andrew Bird with special guest Hiss Golden Messenger on July 13, also at Highland; and much, much more.

-Openings: The Barksdale bar, the Canarchy Collaboratory, Itto Ramen & Tappas and The Greenhouse restaurant and taproom by Noble Cider have all recently opened in Asheville as the bar and restaurant scene continue to percolate. Go check them out.

-New music: There’s no shortage of great stuff happening on the Asheville music scene. Asheville’s The Moon & You have an album release show on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Their new album features a variety of lullabies. Asheville singer-songwriter Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters will release their “Live at The Grey Eagle” album with a Friday night show at The Grey Eagle; and the Asheville Opry on Sunday night at Isis Music Hall will feature singer-songwriters Hannah Kaminer and Alexa Rose, along with local old-school favorites The Old Chevrolette Set, who will pay tribute to the likes of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, George Strait, Hank Williams. Finally, don’t forget about Nashville singer-songwriter Gretchen Peters, with special guest Asheville singer-songwriter Jane Kramer, on Saturday at Isis. Jane Kramer interviewed Gretchen Peters for Ashvegas, and you can read the story here.

-Weekend festival: Hola Asheville Festival, Saturday from noon until 8 p.m. at Pack Square Park.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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