Thomas Calder

Asheville

Staff Writer at Mountain Xpress

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Articles

The Playlist: Listen to these 15 tracks to confront death and feel alive

2 weeks ago | mountainx.com | Thomas Calder

The Playlist: Listen to these 15 tracks to confront death and feel alive ON LIVING AND DYING: "As I get older and closer to my own death, it is something I think about more," says local hip-hop artist Davaion “Spaceman Jones” Bristol. "It actually makes me want to live more fully. In my writing it is a tool to create depth and weight to whatever line I'm writing." Photo courtesy of Bristol Xpress’ latest installment of “The Playlist” has arrived.
Marshall Magic: Downtown prepares to reopen

2 weeks ago | mountainx.com | Thomas Calder |Kay West |Gina Smith |Brooke Randle

Marshall Magic: Downtown prepares to reopen Volume / Issue April 30, 2025 Cover Design Credit: Scott Southwick Cover Photography Credit: Caleb Johnson In Marshall, businesses up and down Main Street are scrambling to open in time for Marshall Magic Days, a downtown festival that organizers are billing as an “open house” showcasing the area’s recovery progress. The multiday happening runs Thursday-Sunday, May 1-4....
Margaret Belk wins 2025 Xpress Poetry Contest

2 weeks ago | mountainx.com | Thomas Calder

Margaret Belk wins 2025 Xpress Poetry Contest AND THE WINNER IS: Margaret Belk is the winner of this year's Xpress Poetry Contest, judged by poet Michael Dechane. Belk is featured here with her dog, Ziggy. Photo courtesy of Belk Nearly 100 local poets submitted works to our 2025 Xpress Poetry Contest. That number is more than double the amount of entries we received last year.
In photos: The People’s Town Hall for Liberty

3 weeks ago | mountainx.com | Thomas Calder

In photos: The People’s Town Hall for Liberty REPRESENTING THEIR REPRESENTATIVES: Stand-ins for Sen. Thom Tillis, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards and Sen. Ted Budd took the stage at Pack Square Park on April 19. Photo by Thomas Calder Around 2,000 residents gathered for The People’s Town Hall for Liberty held at Pack Square Park on April 19, noon-2 p.m.“Welcome to our empty chair people’s town hall,” Gerry Nugent of Good Trouble WNC told the crowd.
In photos: Thousands gather at Pack Square Park for ‘Hands Off’ demonstration

1 month ago | mountainx.com | Thomas Calder

In photos: Thousands gather at Pack Square Park for ‘Hands Off’ demonstration POWER TO THE PEOPLE: Veteran Jay Carey spoke at the April 5 'Hands Off' events in Asheville at Pack Square Park. Carey is the founder of Resist & Persist, a nonpartisan veteran advocacy organization dedicated to empowering veterans and their families.
The Playlist: Listen to these 13 tracks for an unexpected musical journey

1 month ago | mountainx.com | Thomas Calder

The Playlist: Listen to these 13 tracks for an unexpected musical journey SELF-IMPOSED RULES: In creating this month's playlist, musician Moon Bride (Carly Kotula) had a few self-imposed rules — “keep it mostly to new music, include mostly local artists and have it all fit together sonically,” she explains. Photo courtesy of Moon Bride Xpress’ latest installment of “The Playlist” has arrived.
Poet Michael Dechane explores loneliness and transformation in his debut collection

1 month ago | mountainx.com | Thomas Calder

Poet Michael Dechane explores loneliness and transformation in his debut collection SOUND ADVICE: Poet Michael Dechane says he received the best advice on writing from his mentor Bob Cording, whom Dechane dedicated his debut collection to. "He said,'Write poetry to have a better life,'" Dechane notes.
Beyond the Dais: The music, laughter and leaky diapers of Kim Roney’s youth

1 month ago | mountainx.com | Thomas Calder

Beyond the Dais: The music, laughter and leaky diapers of Kim Roney’s youth WONDER YEARS: As a child, Asheville City Council member Kim Roney says she was "pretty goofy." Photo courtesy of Roney As part of Xpress’ annual Kids Issue series, we reached out to the members of Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to share their childhood recollections. Not all elected officials were available.
Beyond the Dais: The infamously bad dance moves of Commissioner Parker Sloan’s youth

1 month ago | mountainx.com | Thomas Calder

Beyond the Dais: The infamously bad dance moves of Commissioner Parker Sloan’s youth JAMMIN': A young Parker Sloan plays bass guitar. Photo courtesy of Sloan As part of Xpress’ annual Kids Issue series, we reached out to the members of Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to share their childhood recollections. Not all elected officials were available.
Beyond the Dais: Sheneika Smith on youthful pranks

1 month ago | mountainx.com | Thomas Calder

As part of Xpress’ annual Kids Issue series, we reached out to the members of Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to share their childhood recollections. Not all elected officials were available. Below is our conversation with Council member Sheneika Smith. Xpress: Most people have at least one story their family and relatives can’t help but retell at reunions and/or holiday gatherings.