Monday, November 1, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Moogfest 2010 - Downtown Asheville
This weekend offered many including myself an awesome opportunity to not only experience downtown at Halloween but to attend the Moogfest for the first Asheville appearance. Anytime in downtown Asheville can provide one with words and pictures to share but this combination of two happenings offered a delightful combination of both.
I arrived downtown around noon and got in line to purchase my wristband for the days events. Walking towards the Asheville Civic Center this guy could be seen in the distance and later I would find that his buddies could be found hanging out around downtown.
The line was small and I was grateful realizing I had arrived a few hours before the main music venues arrived. I got through the line quickly and with wristband and daily maps and book of activities in hand I was set to go.
I decided to start the day at the Moogplex located in the Haywood Park Hotel and found a crowd already gathered to listen and experience playing one of this man's amazing creations.And of course on the way in I saw this guy lurking above checking it all out.
Once outside and wandering about town I once again encountered this mysterious figure sitting on top of a roof of the infamous wig shop downtown.
Looking at the venues offered before the music started I headed down to the Fine Arts Theater to check out this film as a part of Moofgest and I highly recommend you see it when it comes to the theater near you. Of course along the way I see these two guys checking me and Asheville out.
As I was about to enter the theater of course what do I see but -yes once again - this guy!
So curiously I enter to see what this film could possibly be about and boy was I amazed and I highly recommend it. Check out the trailer..and see it as soon as you can! I was blessed and grateful to see the whole film as part of Moogfest!
Bouncing Cats
I was blown away emotionally along with the packed audience and this set my mood for the day!
I exited the theater with sniffles and a bit of a happily tear stained face I am sure and continued my journey.
I was excited about what the day had in store. Discovering and reliving some of the music I had heard using Moog's instruments as well as witnessing two new ones that were being unveiled here in Asheville. It is magical here and events such as this just add to it! Ahh one more reason to love and explore Downtown Asheville!
I arrived downtown around noon and got in line to purchase my wristband for the days events. Walking towards the Asheville Civic Center this guy could be seen in the distance and later I would find that his buddies could be found hanging out around downtown.
\
Looking at the venues offered before the music started I headed down to the Fine Arts Theater to check out this film as a part of Moofgest and I highly recommend you see it when it comes to the theater near you. Of course along the way I see these two guys checking me and Asheville out.
So curiously I enter to see what this film could possibly be about and boy was I amazed and I highly recommend it. Check out the trailer..and see it as soon as you can! I was blessed and grateful to see the whole film as part of Moogfest!
Bouncing Cats
I was blown away emotionally along with the packed audience and this set my mood for the day!
I exited the theater with sniffles and a bit of a happily tear stained face I am sure and continued my journey.
I was excited about what the day had in store. Discovering and reliving some of the music I had heard using Moog's instruments as well as witnessing two new ones that were being unveiled here in Asheville. It is magical here and events such as this just add to it! Ahh one more reason to love and explore Downtown Asheville!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
A real downtown - just like the good old days and more
When one hears the word "downtown" a vision usually comes to mind of boarded up windows and barren streets. Some call it a place you drive through or avoid on your way to the mall. Older folks such as myself may recall it was a place of those good old days gone by. That magical place that you could walk around and "window shop" while passing people on the streets and nodding hello. If tired and thirsty you could stop in at the local Woolworth's or Kress's counter for a coke and a grilled cheese. Or find your favorite corner bar to share a drink and some friendly talk. Aah the memories of those days!
Well lace up your shoes and grab your bag and head on down to one of the few places that you can still experience a real downtown. The streets of Asheville looked very different 20 years ago while many of the businesses had either closed or moved to the Mall. But one amazing factor was that many of the old original buildings were not torn down but were left to be lovingly restored for generations to enjoy. Of course this would take years and money and interest to bring it back to life. A local resident Julian Price donated generous amounts of money and time contributing to the resurrection of this lovingly restored place to explore. His efforts along with many others in the community have created a downtown that is rarely found these days. I know there are some in other cities and towns but there is something special and different about our downtown.
In addition to the buildings being restored and brought back to life this rejuvenation has created a space for many local owned and operated businesses. Until recently there were no chain stores except for a CVS Pharmacy in the downtown area. Now - and not without some efforts on locals to prevent it - there is a Urban Outfitters and a Staples in the downtown area. Now that a bit of history has been shared it is time to start exploring. I will share more history in this blog as I go along. There is so much to see and do and this blog was created to - inform and share my love of downtown Asheville and - to help you discover and enjoy.
I think to begin I will do a tour of downtown with blogs using my photos and by dividing it up by streets, or maybe restaurants or how about all the events that occur, oh and all the funky and cool shops. Oh, Oh and all of the street performers and the Friday Night Drumming Circle. Whew! This is going to be tough - but so much fun. Come on lets go!
Well lace up your shoes and grab your bag and head on down to one of the few places that you can still experience a real downtown. The streets of Asheville looked very different 20 years ago while many of the businesses had either closed or moved to the Mall. But one amazing factor was that many of the old original buildings were not torn down but were left to be lovingly restored for generations to enjoy. Of course this would take years and money and interest to bring it back to life. A local resident Julian Price donated generous amounts of money and time contributing to the resurrection of this lovingly restored place to explore. His efforts along with many others in the community have created a downtown that is rarely found these days. I know there are some in other cities and towns but there is something special and different about our downtown.
In addition to the buildings being restored and brought back to life this rejuvenation has created a space for many local owned and operated businesses. Until recently there were no chain stores except for a CVS Pharmacy in the downtown area. Now - and not without some efforts on locals to prevent it - there is a Urban Outfitters and a Staples in the downtown area. Now that a bit of history has been shared it is time to start exploring. I will share more history in this blog as I go along. There is so much to see and do and this blog was created to - inform and share my love of downtown Asheville and - to help you discover and enjoy.
I think to begin I will do a tour of downtown with blogs using my photos and by dividing it up by streets, or maybe restaurants or how about all the events that occur, oh and all the funky and cool shops. Oh, Oh and all of the street performers and the Friday Night Drumming Circle. Whew! This is going to be tough - but so much fun. Come on lets go!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
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