Asheville Paper Craze

I just read something super interesting in the Jan. 08 edition of Our State magazine, a great publication about North Carolina. Find it on the web: http://www.ourstate.com/

A team called Mars of Asheville, made up by a married couple, Audie and Bob Bayer, created a fashion fade in the 1960s. Their “Waste Basket Boutique” caught everyone’s attention, and for good reason- everything was made out of paper. You could find their “disposable paper couture” in everything from floor length gowns to bikinis. The Asheville Art Museum houses examples that anyone can take a peek at.
Audie and Bob had perfect timing. People loved the idea of wearing an outfit and throwing it out. After the years of not wasting, only saving, paper dresses were a dream. Soon, they were placing orders of 100,000 and recovering from complete shock. But, with the Vietnam War, death of Martin Luther King Jr. and other national disasters, the excitement wore off in 1969.

Something new sprang up though. Those silly frocks you wear at the doctor’s office and the sometimes cool scrubs the nurses and other medical personnel sport. Vogue showed off these fashions, which is a little hard to believe.

You can find paper dresses on ebay, and they continue to pop up. I guess it’s something no one wants to toss anymore.

Check out Our State. Website one more time: http://www.ourstate.com

Have fun!

Sizzlin’ Sounds

There definitely is a sizzling sound coming from Asheville. It’s not anything deadly, I promise. It’s the music scene creating heat and touching the hearts of N.C. fans.

After researching, I found some interesting bands that would be worth a music lover’s time to look up.

Here’s the site for my info: http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=ENT

There seems to be something for everything with the colorful arrangement of rock, pop, funk, jazz and everything else.

Bee&Boo’s profile caught my attention, and they are next on my list of tune experiments. First of all, I love the name. It’s endearing and fun. And their mix of influences tempts me to listen to their deep, chill songs. Check out their blurb:

The Arts

I can imagine a day browsing the downtown scene in Asheville, NC. Strolling down Biltmore Avenue, I notice the color streaming from Ariel Gallery. Looking into the window, I see beautifully made crafts in every style I’ve never even thought of before this moment. I immediately picture my room decorated with every object my eyes can memorize. I stop in and make a note of all the pieces I fall in love with, so I can attempt to remember and come back when I’m no longer a poor student.

Out the door and around the corner, I hear acoustic music and a mellow voice. He strums his instrument gently, as if out of respect for its power to make him the smile the way he is while I watch. Eyes closed, singing towards the sky, he gives the random passers a taste of what they could experience at one of the many downtown establishments for music lovers.

My stomach grumbles, jerks me out of the peaceful moment, and I’m on my way to discover something delicious in one of the downtown restaurants.

Not interested by my daydream? Create your own and satisfy it.

Go here:

http://www.exploreasheville.com/what-to-do/the-arts/index.aspx

Enjoy!

Show Tonight!

My ears were blown away by the endearing lyrics and smooth sounds coming from the corner of the room. THE BROOMS (in caps only due to excitement) hammered, strung, and sang their way into the hearts of the crowd. I watched as couples held hands smiling and everyone clapped or tapped their feet to the beat. I swayed and floated along on the kick-butt air waves thinking how glad I was that I didn’t miss this show.

Hey! You have an awesome chance awaiting you…..

When? 11:30pm, August 6th

Where? Mike’s Side Pocket

Address: 375 Haywood Road

Asheville, NC 28806

Who? THE BROOMS with Cinnamon Band and Tony Waln and The Payne

Why? The Brooms are fantastic. Two of my good friends rock out majorly- Chris on guitar and vocals and Zac on drums. Don’t take my word for it though. Here are THE BROOMS on myspace!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=91033090