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What’s Happening at the Purple Onion
The cooler temperatures in March and the April showers have ushered in one of the most spectacular springs I can remember. The blossoms are lingering and the many shades of green are coming on fast and furiously. May in Saluda promises to be just as spectacular in other ways with al fresco dining, Sunday brunch and a fantastic line up of live music at the Purple Onion as well as the Saluda Arts Festival and the opening of The Gorge on May 18.
NEW HOURS
Beginning May 1, The Purple Onion will be open seven days a week through Labor Day. Monday through Saturday lunch will be served from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM and dinner 5:00 - 9:00 PM. Sunday hours are 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM with a special brunch menu.
LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR
Every Friday at 7:00 Fred Whiskin on piano playing blues to Brubeck.
May 2 – Scoot Pittman – www.scootmusic.com
like mama’s Southern cookin’ sticks to your gut, Scoot’s music will satisfy that sweet spot in your brain and keep a smile on your face, a conssumate entertainer and Purple Onion favorite!
May 4 – David Jacobs-Strain – www.davidjacobs-strain.com
“He is just one of those guys who is in his own class. A great singer and guitar player.” Jorma Kaukenon
May 9 – Gigi Dover & The Big Love – www.gigidover.com
the room rocks when this old friend returns
May 11 – The Carpenter Ants – www.carpenterants.net
old style rhythm & blues, gospel soul and country funk group returns after too long an absence
May 16 – Chuck Johnson – www.thecharleyhorse.com
making his first appearance here, this Charlotte performer is an artist whose music at once feels like home but opens a new world of thought and feeling.
May 18 – Shana Blake Band – www.reverbnation.com/shanablakeband
this audience favorite returns with their innovative take on the old soul cover bands.
May 23 – Darlyne Cain – www.myspace.com/darlynecain2
multi-talented sultry singer now based in Asheville returns
May 25 – Kyle Sorenson and Horse Ghost - www.reverbnation.com/horseghost Saluda-based band making its debut at the cafe
May 30 – Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys – www.lindsayloumusic.com
the tight-knot lyrics and infectious joy in the Flatbellys’ songs will make you stop whatever you’re doing and cock an ear.
April 2013
The new spring menu features the fresh, sweet flavors of a warming earth. Fresh local asparagus, ramps, baby carrots, turnips, beets and spring onions adorn and flavor many of the new selections. While asparagus is in season we’re showcasing it as an appetizer, in our new spring Caesar and on a couple of the entrees. We also added a delicious new salad comprised of fresh local greens, roasted beets, feta and our own version of green goddess with a plethora of fresh herbs and greens. Green goodness! Other new items include rabbit confit in a Lusty Monk mustard cream sauce nestled on a bed of pappardelle, our new gluten free crab cakes,
and for lunch, the return of a few old standards like pimento cheese and chicken salad. Crab cakes aren’t the only gluten free items. We have consolidated all of our gluten free options including gluten free pizzas into one menu for your convenience. Check out the entire spring menu on our website.
A Sense of Balance: The Sculpture of Stoney Lamar
Asheville Art museum
Opening Reception
Saturday, April 13 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 12 – Sunday, September 1
When asked by guests at the Purple Onion if he is the owner, Stoney Lamar frequently responds, “no, I’m married to it”. Those of us who know him well understand that his commitment to the creative process both as a sculptor and as an advocate for the arts through various regional and national arts organizations leaves little time to devote to the restaurant except as an ardent supporter and confidant. This month a retrospective exhibition of fifty works by Stoney opens at the Asheville Art Museum. Curator, Andrew Glasgow’s statement for the exhibition’s catalog follows.
I first became aware of using the lathe to create sculpture when working at the
Southern Highland Craft Guild’s Folk Art Center when we hosted an exhibition
entitled International Turned Objects in 1988. Among the works was a wall
piece by Stoney Lamar. I was instantly captured by the conceptual twist: that a
turned object could be placed on the wall as if it were two-dimensional. In the
ensuing years I would learn more about the art of turning and about Stoney’s very
particular place in that field. It has been an inspiration to work with Stoney and
observe his creative process while curating this exhibition of his work.
As an artistic field largely populated by hobbyist turners, it is amazing to see
Stoney’s work in the larger context. He employs multi-axial turning and usually
adds steel to the wood. His experience with both wood and steel has a depth that
is at times breathtaking. He is also adept at working the surface of his pieces,
using color as well as various carving techniques.
A Sense of Balance: The Sculpture of Stoney Lamar contains work from the
early part of Stoney’s career as well as the work that he has completed in the
last year. As a curator it is a challenge to be both developing an exhibition and
simultaneously assessing current work. This was made more challenging as a result
of Stoney’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2006. This monumental physical
and emotional challenge has resulted in the strongest work of his career. The work
has changed in both concept and scale; material and technique and this exhibition
gives the viewer an excellent opportunity to view Stoney’s entire career in one
venue. From early vessels to current large sculptures sometimes augmented by
the use of a chain saw, this exhibition is as much about achieving virtuosity in the
face of enormous challenges as it is about the work. This combination offers us an
unusual insight into the artistic creativity of Stoney Lamar.
For more:
stoneylamar.net
A Sense of Balance: The Sculpture of Stoney Lamar |
