We know the weekend just ended, but that doesn’t mean we’re not looking ahead to the next one, because Xpand Fest returns to the South Slope on Saturday. 🎉ICYMI last year, the fest brings celebrates community + the arts on the local level, highlighting area musicians, non-profits, arts educators and more over a full day of creativity and celebration. Bonus: It’s all free and family-friendly.
The name sums up the mission of Xpand Fest: To connect community and expand creative enterprise and develop it sustainably in Asheville. We can get down with that.đź•ş
What can you expect? Six stages for live music + performance, roving street performers, an interactive educational area, an arts arcade, local food + beer, and a whole lot more. Map here.
No matter which way you plan your day, we recommend that everyone spend some time exploring ArtRow and joining the Lantern Parade, which starts at 9 p.m. at the Vision Stage.🏮And if you’re a late-night lover, head to the official afterparty at Ben’s Tune Up (195 Hilliard Ave.) at 10 p.m. to catch Freeway Revival, Jbot + Evil Note Lab. Bonus: There are still volunteering slots available for those who want to give back (and earn a t-shirt and an invitation to the thank you party, happening the next week at Green Man Brewery).
Protip: Be sure to try the festival’s exclusive craft brews from Bhramari Brewing + Green Man.🍻
We’ll help you navigate the day with our curated schedules for every kind of festival-goer (for kids, hip-hop lovers, the adventurous, community activists + more) here.
🍬For kids
12:30 p.m.: Kick off your day at the Rescue Dog Fashion Show (from Patton Ave. Pet Company + Mountain Pet Rescue), on the CommUnity Stage by Green Man Brewery.
1–3 p.m.: Explore the surrounding Community Corner for more opportunities for educational fun. Check out performers and buskers like the Wandering Swordsman, Street Creature Puppets + Toybox Theatre on your way to the Interactive Arts Arcade all along Buxton Ave., where you can see + experience creativity up close and personal.
3:00 p.m.: See Plankeye Peggy for fun costumes and an interactive music performance on the Xpand Stage.
3:30 p.m.: Make your way to the Vision Stage (at Urban Orchard) for a performance from Asheville Music School at 3:30.
6 p.m.: Check out the dance showcase on the Xpand Stage at 6 p.m.
8:50 p.m.: End your night with the Lantern Parade, which begins at the Vision Stage. Pink Mercury and Street Creature Puppets will lead the way as you follow with your flameless or closed-flame lantern.
🎤For hip-hop lovers
2 p.m.: Head to the Manifest Stage (at the intersection of Buxton and Coxe Ave.) to see NYC-raised P.T.P. (Peter the Poet).
3:30 p.m.: Walk over to the CommUnity Stage for a presentation on Hip Hop & Healing by local non-profit Bountiful Cities, who link community gardens and work to ensure communities have access to healthy, local food.
4:30 p.m.: Wander back to the Manifest Stage for a performance from “nerdcore” hip-hoppers The Last Word Benders.
6 p.m.: Round out your evening on the Slope at the Octopus Stage (by the Octopus Garden on Coxe Ave.), where you can catch a set from progressive hip-hop artist SIYAH.
10 p.m.: Head to the official afterparty at Ben’s Tune Up to catch sets from Evil Note Lab + more.
🎺For jazz + funk lovers
12:45–1:45 p.m.: Start with a set from sultry singer-songwriter Brie Capone, who will heat up the Manifest Stage with her chanteuse style + sound.
2–4 p.m.: Spend the afternoon leisurely exploring the festival.
4 p.m.: Get serious about seeing some live music beginning with Gypsy Grass, a jazz/bluegrass/fusion band from local musician Ben Phan on the Zapow Stage on Buxton and Coxe Ave.
5–6 p.m.: Grab some food and a special brew from Bhramari or Green Man and head to the Vision Stage at Urban Orchard for the next performance on your itinerary. Take a stroll down Art Row on your way.
6:30 p.m.: You’re in prime position at the Vision Stage from the fun + funky Ryan Barber Band
7 p.m.: The Xpand Stage on Coxe Ave. is the place to be for the rest of the night. First up: seven-member jazz fusion outfit Window Cat (until 8 p.m.).
8:30–10 p.m.: Close our your evening with five-piece Big Sam’s Funky Nation.
🎉For the adventurous fest-goer
Noon: Start with dream-rock band Alex Krug Combo at the Xpand Stage.
1–2: Meander through the street performances and the interactive Arts Arcade.
2:30: Catch a Carnival Variety Show from Asheville Vaudeville on the CommUnity Stage.
3 p.m.: You’ve got choices (or you could see both): For Her and Her Pony will have you transfixed at the Octopus Stage, and Plankeye Peggy will keep you dancing at the Xpand Stage.
3:15–4:15 p.m.: Pop over to the Manifest Stage between hip-hop nerdcore group The Last Word Benders.
4:30 p.m.: Head back to the Octopus Stage for experimental/comedy musical act PrettyPretty.
5 p.m.: Rock out with alternative rock group The Stump Mutts on the Vision Stage.
8 p.m.: Make sure to close out the night with Pink Mercury, fronted by Asheville art-pop legend Stephanie Morgan, and follow the band into the night for the Lantern Parade featuring Street Creature Puppets (no open flames).
🎸For Americana fans
Noon: Local favorites Ashley Heath and Her Heathens get your Xpand Fest started on the Xpand Stage.
12:30 p.m.: Check out Old Fort’s Yellow Feather, who released their first studio album, And Gold, last December.
1 p.m.: Sing along with Hannah Kaminer’s heartfelt lyrics + vibrant melodies on the Zapow Stage.
2–3 p.m.: Matt Townsend and the Wild Lights keep the party going on the Vision Stage.
2:30–3:30 p.m.: Doss Church plays an intimate set with voice + guitar on the Zapow Stage.
4:30–5:30 p.m.: Don’t miss songstress Jane Kramer, who will light up the Manifest stage with her gorgeous vocals and guitar + vulnerable, poetry-filled lyrics. Or catch David Earl and the Plowshares on the Xpand Stage.
5:30–6:30 p.m.: Folk-infused duo Paper Crowns play the Manifest Stage, while Ten Cent Poetry (singer-songwriter Chelsea LaBate) presents an Artist in the Round session on the CommUnity Stage.
7:30 p.m.: End your night at the Octopus Stage with LOUQUE, who played at Big Ears Festival and New Orleans Airlift last year.
🌆For the community activist
12: 30 p.m.: Start with the Rescue Dog Fashion Show from Patton Ave. Pet Company and Mountain Pet Rescue at the CommUnityStage.
1:30 p.m.: Stay at the CommUnity Stage for Community Roots’ “Get Your Activism On” panel.
2 p.m.: Take a break and grab a bite or a beer, or stick around for the Carnival Variety Show from Asheville Vaudeville.
3:30 p.m.: Find out about the connection between hip hop + healing in a presentation from Bountiful Cities on the CommUnityStage.
4:30 p.m.: Learn all about the history of Urban Apple Orchards in a discussion that takes you all the way to the present day (CommUnity Stage).
5:45 p.m.: See consciousness-raising band I,Star on the Manifest Stage. Their video + song “Stand on This Rock,” a fundraising single for Standing Rock created with a Cherokee elder, has over 16,000 views on social media from around the world.
6:45 p.m.: Network + make new friends at the Community Media Mixer hosted by Date My City at the CommUnity Stage.
It’s only a one-day festival, but Xpand Fest packs in so much, and the best part is that it’s all local + free (obviously, other than the beer + food, but we can dream).
I know I’m going to catch some of my favorite bands, including Window Cat, Jane Kramer, SIYAH + Pink Mercury. I’m also really excited for the educational + inspirational events on the CommUnity Stage.
Bonus: I’ll be MCing the Vision Stage before The Ryan Barber Band and Pink Mercury for AVLtoday, so be sure to come by and tell me how your Xpand Fest is going.
Catch ya on the South Slope.
