Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Some of what’s going around in happening Asheville:
-Wicked Weed in bottles?: There’s more and more talk about the possibility that Wicked Weed Brewing putting some of their fabulous beer in bottles. Next month will mark Wicked Weed’s one-year anniversary operating as a craft brewery in Asheville, and what a year it’s been. The beautiful brewery has been selling craft beer hand-over-fist since it opened. The Wicked crew has brewed a staggering variety of beer, which has been widely praised for its quality. Wicked Weed recently won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival recently, a first for an Asheville brewery. The big question with bottling, of course, is where that work would be done. More as I get it.
-Diamond Brand opening in downtown: Here’s a snippet from the press release:
Diamond Brand Outdoors, Asheville’s leading outdoor retailer for nearly 50 years, announced plans to open a new downtown adventure boutique in early summer, catering to Asheville residents’ and visitors’ active lifestyles.
Diamond Brand Outdoor’s first adventure boutique will be located on the ground floor of the new Aloft Asheville Hotel. Diamond Brand’s new Biltmore Avenue location will provide Asheville locals and visitors with access to a fine selection of cutting-edge outdoor adventure essentials, conveniently in the heart of downtown.
“As we prepare to celebrate our 50th anniversary as Asheville’s leading outdoor retailer, we’ve been very deliberate about finding the right location in downtown that fits the vision for our first adventure boutique,” said Sarah Merrell, Marketing Manager – Diamond Brand Outdoors.
-Second Brazilian steakhouse in Asheville: The Asheville Scene reports that the former Magnolia’s restaurant on Market Street in downtown has been leased to Brasilia Churrasco Steakhouse and could open by February. Just a few weeks ago, Magnolia’s closed in sudden and dramatic fashion after more than 20 years in business. I recently reported that another Brazilian steakhouse, Rio De Brazil, is planning to open on Hendersonville Road.
-Library jazz: Here’s the press release:
Pack Memorial Library will host a free jazz concert at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 21. Vocalist Jesse Earl Junior will be accompanied by pianist Michael Jefry Stevens in a duet performance of live jazz.
Michael Jefry Stevens is an internationally-known jazz pianist and composer. Over the past 40 years he’s released more than 80 CDs and continues to perform and conduct workshops in North America, Latin America, and Europe. Jesse Earl Junior is a multi-faceted singer with roots in Gospel, Jazz, and the Blues with a bit of R&B thrown in for good measure. After stints in the jazz venues of New York and his native Milwaukee, he has settled in Asheville and continues to sing the music he loves. The program is open to all and admission is free.
-Lincoln lecture: Another press release:
As the nation marks the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address today, the Asheville Art Museum is looking forward to hosting Christopher Oakley, assistant professor of new media at UNC Asheville, whose recent discovery of President Lincoln in an 1863 photograph by Alexander Gardner has garnered national attention.
Oakley will be discussing and illustrating the undergraduate research work he is currently leading at UNC Asheville on “The Virtual Lincoln Project,” and how this research has led to the discovery of a previously unknown photographic image of Abraham Lincoln. This image of Lincoln was taken in Gettysburg on the day of the Gettysburg Address, 150 years ago on November 19, 1863. The presentation will also include information on Civil War stereo photography, photographer Alexander Gardner, and how Oakley debunked previous claims that Lincoln is seen riding a horse in Gardner’s stereo photographs of the dedication ceremony at the National Soldier’s Cemetery.
This event is free for museum members, and UNC Asheville students and faculty. $8 museum admission applies to non-members. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. Please contact the Museum’s front desk for reservations at 828.253.3227.
-Blue Ridge Parkway time lapse: Great time lapse video from a Ray’s Weather web cam on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Random deer, moonlight and shadow.
–Mountain Xpress portraits: Former Mountain Xpress photog Max Cooper recently posted a few portraits he shot of staffers who have left Asheville’s alternative news weekly. Background on Xpress departures here.
Helen and i ate at Brasilia last night and it was a meat event! After a little salad barring (keep it light), we flipped over our coasters to “Sim” and they brought in slice after tidbit of meat until we switched to “No obrigato” for a bit. The pork, ribs, sirloin and some of the specialty meats were the best (though i didn’t try any of the chicken). $33/person minus drinks/desert seemed a bit steep (we still had a wine or two). Quite the place for a ‘special treat’ for us due to price and you can only take so much meat-gorging per month. Good admosphere and pleasant staff too.
Awesome. Thanks Zen! I’ll have to get over there.
I think this is a great start to get a steakhouse in downtown, but I don’t see it holding on during our dead Winters.
Any word on the Korean BBQ place downtown?
The Brasilia Churrasco Steakhouse concept doesn’t look like it’ll work downtown. Depending on their $$ backing I give them a year at best.
Yeah, it seems like this is the type of restaurant that might really require a parking lot. Stuffing yourself with all-you-can-eat meat isn’t exactly the type of dinner tourists go for on a whim while walking around the town.
As long as the food is good and prices aren’t unreasonable, they have no more or no less viability than any other full service concept in downtown. Downtown needs a steakhouse. This is a popular concept in many markets. Asheville is just behind the curve in getting one. With that said, because they are “different”, they may have more staying power than many restaurants as they face more and more pressure from migration to the RAD, south slope, and Biltmore Park.