Asheville Cabin Rental Blog

Robert Moog passed away in 2005 but his spirit is still felt far and wide.  His contributions to music will be celebrated October 29th-31st in Asheville at the 2010 Moog Festival. The Asheville area is host to several festivals each year such as the Lake Eden Arts Festival and Bele Chere, but this is the first time one of this size has come totown.

Born in New York City, Bob Moog is most widely known for his contribution to electronic music and the Moog Synthesizer that he developed in 1964. He spent his later life in Asheville, North Carolina.  The Moog synthesizer revolutionized electronic and rock music for decades to come, and is still used in music production today.  Moog Music, a company Moog founded that manufactures electronic musical equipment is still based out of Asheville.

MoogFest, which used to take place in New York City, is now moving South, right into the mountains of Western North Carolina. On Halloween weekend, Asheville will be aglow as MoogFest moves into town and lights up the music scene. The three day event will highlight musicians from across. Over two dozen bands such a DJ Spooky, Massive Attack, and Thievery Corporation will play at music venues located in downtown Asheville.

Ticket prices range from $75 for a Friday, Saturday or Sunday day pass.  Weekend passes are also available for $184.50  which includes access to all shows and MoogFest venues. Most of the shows will take place at the Asheville Civic Center, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, and The Orange Peel. Additionally, VIP passes will be available for $349.50 which allows priority check-in, exclusive viewing areas, a tour of the Moog factory, plus additional bonuses.

Additionally, activities related to MoogFest include:
-Late night performances held at Club 828 and the Moogplex
-An art showcase featuring hand made limited-edition prints inspired by Bob Moog’s legacy
-Educational workshops and panels to discuss Moog music and technology
-A Moog circuit bending challenge
-An after party held at the Flood Gallery on Saturday 10/30 ($10 cover)

Included in the MoogFest music line-up:
Big Boi
Caribou
Dam-Funk
El-P
Emeralds
Four Tet
Girl Talk
Hot Chip
Jon Hopkins
Jonsi
Kuroma
Massive Attack
Matamos
MGMT
MiM0SA
Mountain Man
Nortec Collective presents: Bostich & Fussible
The Octopus Project
Panda Bear
Pretty Lights
RJD2
Saturn Never Sleeps: King Britt & Rucyl
School of Seven Bells
Thievery Corporation
Two Fres

The excitement begins Friday, October 29th with shows lasting late into the night. Tickets are still available but are expected to sell out. Grab them early! $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to the Bob Moog Foundation to assist in  preserving Moog’s legacy. Check out www.moogfest.com for additional details and information pertaining to the festival.

CULLOWHEE, NC – An exuberant celebration of Russian heritage takes the stage at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, at the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

The Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival, part of WCU’s 2010-11 Galaxy of Stars Series, features traditional music, song and dance. A balalaika ensemble performs folk, gypsy and classical music on authentic instruments and in traditional costume.

Nikolai Massenkoff, born in a White Russian community in Shanghai and placed in an orphanage at age 3, leads the troupe. Massenkoff arrived in San Francisco at age 12 and eventually studied speech, music and drama. Inspired by love of his Russian heritage, he founded the group in 1975. A bass-baritone, he has performed throughout the United States and around the world at venues including Carnegie Hall; the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea; and Epcot.

The next performance in the Galaxy of Stars Series is Lance Brown’s “Will Rogers Now!,” a portrait of the gentle American hero in words, theater and song, on Thursday, Nov. 4.

On Friday, Oct. 22, Western Carolina University will mark five years of art and entertainment at the Fine and Performing Arts Center. The gala will begin at 6 p.m. with an outdoor cocktail reception. Festivities move indoors at 7 p.m. for a performance by WCU’s resident Smoky Mountain Brass Quintet, followed by a 7:30 p.m. curtain time for “’S Wonderful,” a theatrical revue of songs by George and Ira Gershwin. Tickets are available in several price tiers and are on sale now.

Tickets for the Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival are $25 for adults; $20 for senior citizens and WCU faculty and staff; and $5 for children and students. For more information, call the FAPAC box office at 828-227-2479 or go online to fapac.wcu.edu.

ASHEVILLE, NC – Elton John and his band will appear in concert on November 16th at 8PM at the Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, North Carolina performing their “Greatest Hits Live” concert, featuring number one chart hits and classic album tracks from throughout Elton’s incredible five-decade career. Tickets go on sale Monday, October 4th at 10am.

Elton John’s band includes Davey Johnstone on guitar, Bob Birch on bass, John Mahon on percussion, Nigel Olsson on drums, and Kim Bullard on keyboards. One of the most successful live acts on the road today, Elton and his band put on the kind of show you will never forget: the entire audience standing, dancing and singing along with much-loved classic songs such as “Your Song”, “Daniel”, “Rocket Man”, “Bennie and the Jets” and many, many more. Sam Powers, Director of the Asheville Civic Center said, “We are thrilled to host Elton John and his band at the Asheville Civic Center. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see these Elton perform all his hits and number ones live on stage in an intimate setting.

This will be an unforgettable day for Asheville’s music fans. This year’s must-see concert!

The monumental career of international singer/songwriter and performer Elton John spans five decades. He is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with 35 gold and 25 platinum albums, 29 consecutive Top 40 hits, and he has sold more than 250 million records worldwide. John holds the record for the biggest selling single of all time, “Candle in the Wind ’97,” which sold 37 million copies. Since his career began in 1969 he has played almost 3,000 concerts worldwide.

TICKETS ON SALE THIS MONDAY, OCTOBER 4TH AT 10AM

Tickets are $47.00, $87.00, $137.00 and will be available online at ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster Outlets or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.

ASHEVILLE, NC – Do you think you’ve got what it takes to win the Oktoberfest Bratwurst Eating Contest? Want to try your hand at the Keg Rolling Contest or Stein Race? Then, head on over to one of the six participating local breweries to sign up for a team. Each brewery will select four team members to participate in each of the Oktoberfest contests – Keg Rolling, Stein Race, Dizzy Gnome, Bratwurst Eating and Alphorn Blowing. Teams will be selected by October 3rd.

Teams will receive extra points for costumes and a festival-wide costume contest will be held.  So don your best Bavarian wear and represent even if you’re not on an official brewery team.

The 2nd Annual Oktoberfest, presented by the Asheville Downtown Association, is set for Saturday, October 9 from 12-6pm on Wall Street. Participating breweries include: Highland Brewing, Asheville Brewing Company, Pisgah Brewing, Green Man Brewery, Craggie Brewing and French Broad Brewing Company. Many brewers are featuring seasonal ales for Oktoberfest, and will be on hand to discuss their beers.

Returning to entertain the crowd are The Stratton Mountain Boys, an “oompah” band known nationwide for their rollicking German and Polka style music. The band brings the harmonic sounds of alphorns, happy yodeling songs, shoe slapping dances, and lively spirited music to the stage.

Satisfy your craving for Oktoberfest cuisine with German staples like bratwurst, pretzels and traditional sides from Cucina 24, Jack of the Wood, The Market Place and Jubilee served with local favorite Lusty Monk Mustard.

With only 1,800 to sell and at only $25 per person, tickets are going fast. Visit ashevilledowntown.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

The Asheville Downtown Association is a membership organization committed to issues and advocacy, as well as events that stimulate economic prosperity in the Downtown central business district. Annual events include Downtown After 5, Oktoberfest, the Asheville Holiday Parade, and the State of Downtown. For more information, please visit www.AshevilleDowntown.org.

Schedule of Events:

11am – Check-in at the Flat Iron on Wall St.

11:45am – The Stratton Mountain Boys start the festival by blowing the Alpine Horn.  This will signal the parade towards the stage for the official tapping of the keg

12pm – The official tapping of the keg. The Stratton Mountain Boys start the party!

1pm – Games begin with the Keg Roll

2pm – Team Stein Race

3pm – Costume Contest and Brat Eating Contest

4pm – Alphorn Blowing Contest

5pm – Dizzy Gnome

6pm – The Winning Team of Oktoberfest Announced

ASHEVILLE, NC – What if the great and tragic story of King Lear were to be told by the King’s closest companion – his own Fool? This is “Nearly Lear,” an adaptation of Shakespeare’s story that becomes not only poignant, but also mischievous, tender and achingly funny in the hands Susanna Hamnett. Hamnett, who co-created and stars in the one-woman show, takes to the stage at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, at UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium. “Nearly Lear” kicks off the University’s 2010-2011 Cultural and Special Events Season.

Susanna Hamnett in “Nearly Lear”Hamnett’s “Nearly Lear” has been hailed by critics for its humor, but also as ”gripping and compelling theater,” “both gentle and devastating.” Hamnett’s background is full of unusual juxtapositions, encompassing Russian Studies at Cambridge University, dramatic studies in London under the renowned Shakespeare coach Patsy Rodenburg, and clowning and vaudeville on the Canadian fringe circuit.

“Nearly Lear,” co-created with Edith Tankus, debuted in Toronto in 2008 and is slated for a tour of England and Scotland later this fall and two weeks of performances in New York City in January.

Tickets for the UNC Asheville performance are on sale now. Seating is general admission and tickets are $20 or $5 for area students. To reserve tickets by phone, call UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union Box Office at 828/232-5000. To purchase tickets online, visit www.uncatickets.com.

Other events in the 2010-11 UNC Asheville Cultural and Special Events season include:

- October 19: Step Afrika! – dance in the “stepping” tradition created by African American college students

- November 5: Renown jazz singer Sheila Jordan

- February 10: Innovative ukulele artist Jake Shimabukuro

- April 5-6: Viver Brasil percussion, vocals and dance at the Diana Wortham Theater

- June 16: Keowee Chamber Music Festival concert

For more information on UNC Asheville’s Cultural & Special Events season or to purchase group tickets, call 828.251.6991 or click on http://www2.unca.edu/culturalarts/.