Been away from the M'cat for a few days, so I didn't see this when it was going hot 'n' heavy.

Noticed somebody mentioned McDibb's in Black Mountain. 'Fraid that's gone. Just on the outskirts of town there's Cody's, a private club, that is run by a folkie-singer-songwriter named David Cody. There's also the Town Pump, which seems to lean more toward rock and country rock these days, but still has folk music on occasion. And there was another venue in town where they had concerts and Monday night open mics, but it closed about six months ago. The last time I was there it was just being reopened with new management, so I don't know what it will be like.

Also in the Asheville-Swanannoa Valley area there's the Sourwood Festival that usually has a music component and several other festivals during the year. In A'ville is Be Here Now, which the last time I checked had Celtic nights on Mondays, but the rest of the week they might have most anything -- you just have to check. Might be blues, might be punk, but more likely it will just be LOUD.

there's lots more around.... you just have to look. And — if you're really lucky — somebody might just tell you whose garage the locals are gathering in on a Saturday afternoon. That, as they say, is as good as it gets.

cheers all,

david