Daniel Walton
mxarts
Asheville, NC, United States
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Past articles by Daniel:
Eighth {Re}HAPPENING manifests the history of Black Mountain College
“We like to look at the history and legacy of the college and connect that past work with contemporary practice,” says BMCM+AC executive director Jeff Arnal. Attendees can experience this philosophy in action at the college’s former grounds, now Camp Rockmont, on Saturday, March 31. → Read More
Dam removal projects restore WNC waterways
Whatever their original purpose, many local dams are now seen as ecologically problematic. Nonprofits, community groups and government agencies throughout Western North Carolina are now working to remove this legacy of outdated dams. Although challenging, the process offers benefits for the wildlife, safety and recreation potential of the area’s waterways. → Read More
Different Strokes! confronts censorship through tale of ‘bunny book crusade”’
In 1959, Alabama state senator E.O. Eddins Sr. (renamed Higgins in the play) became aware of a children’s book called The Rabbits’ Wedding, which showed the marriage of a white rabbit to a black rabbit, and demanded that the title be pulled from Alabama public library shelves. → Read More
Mountain Soul Party builds community for local musicians
“The whole point of this event is to build community,” says Juan Holladay. “To really do that, you have to involve young musicians as well, because that’s as local as it gets.” → Read More
Christmas tree farmers strike balance in production practices
Asheville loves its organic produce. But the same shoppers who scrupulously avoid conventional fruits and vegetables may not think twice about the practices used to raise another of Western North Carolina’s agricultural mainstays — Christmas trees. → Read More
Cary Cooper debuts ‘Case of the Hopefuls’ at The Altamont Theatre
Recorded over an intense three-week stretch this summer in Grand Rapids, Mich., to coincide with Cooper’s teaching duties at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, the arrangements are constructed lightly, giving plenty of room for her delicate melodies and overdubbed harmonies to shine through. → Read More
Different Strokes! and Montford Park Players highlight gender issues in Shakespeare
The intersectionality of racial and homosexual prejudice places Shakespeare’s 400-year-old play in the context of contemporary social justice. → Read More
Montreat conference explores aesthetics in activism
Through exploring the role of art and aesthetics in social activism, the Radical Beauty conference — a new event hosted by the Montreat Conference Center from Monday, Oct. 9 through Thursday, Oct. 12 — offers an alternative approach to promoting cultural change. → Read More
Stephen Evans and the True Grits revisit the past with a new EP
Reflecting on his development between when he first wrote the songs on Under the Bridge and now, Stephen Evans says the years have mellowed his approach. “Fame isn’t really the goal. We just want to keep making better and better records and having fun with it,” he explains. → Read More
Durand Jones & The Indications bring DIY energy to old-school soul
Over the past year, that unique sound has led Durand Jones & The Indications to tour the country and perform gigs at festivals including South by Southwest and Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. The group now brings its funky grooves to The Mothlight on Wednesday, Aug. 23. → Read More
Asheville’s Solar Eclipse Festival celebrates an astronomical rarity
Beyond the astronomic phenomenon, Asheville’s Solar Eclipse Festival features food vendors, the Splashville interactive fountain and solar-inspired music curated by DJ Kipper of Mix 96.5. → Read More
Laugh Your Asheville Off draws performers from across the country
Each night of the festival features a completely different showcase of comics, most of whom are making their first appearance in Asheville. “We keep a very wide revolving door with fresh talent coming in," says executive producer Charlie Gerencer. → Read More
Mountain Dance and Folk Festival turns 90
“The longevity of this festival comes from the wonderful ancestry that has evolved out of the mountains,” says Loretta Freeman. “You’ll have up to five generations in a family that are still playing music.” → Read More
RBTS WIN and Spaceman Jones collaborate on a timely EP
Drawing from the approach of classic hip-hop producers such as Pete Rock, Diamond D and Large Professor, Worsham’s beats resonated with Bristol’s attitude toward rapping. → Read More
Q+A with LEAF’s Legends of Africa
The three “Legends of Africa” artists Mountain Xpress spoke with from this spring’s festival all drew on the participatory atmosphere during their weekend performances. → Read More
Open mic at Catawba Brewing Co. celebrates local songwriting
To celebrate the open mic and jam session's third anniversary, organizer Jon Edwards is returning Musicians in the Round to its roots: Every Monday in May is devoted to songs written within 60 miles of Asheville. → Read More
The 44th LEAF features ‘Legends of Africa’
The program that emerged from Pickering’s trip, LEAF International Rwanda, is now sending four of its performers to LEAF. The young Rwandans will join over 400 other artists at the festival’s 44th edition, which takes over Camp Rockmont from Thursday, May 11, to Sunday, May 14. → Read More
Music Video Asheville’s 10th year boasts its biggest selection yet
The showcase of local musicians and videographers returns to the Diana Wortham Theatre on Wednesday, April 19. The awards show has grown from its modest beginnings at the now-defunct Cinebarre movie house into a red-carpet extravaganza downtown — a course of success that mirrors the ever-increasing relevance of music videos themselves in the online age. → Read More