Asheville Aerial Arts and Asheville Community Theatre Partner to Present "UP"

Emotion and beauty are just two reasons you can’t miss UP, an Asheville Aerial Arts production. Combining theater, acrobatics, dance and aerial arts, UP is a full spectrum of the local troupe’s artistic and athletic talent. The show will be presented on Asheville Community Theatre’s Mainstage. UP will be performed January 16-18, 2015 with evening performances on Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 pm and matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 pm. Tickets are available online, over the phone, or in person at the Asheville Community Theatre Box Office. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children.

“UP will feature Acrobalance, German Wheel, Spanish Web, Trapeze, Silks, Sling, Lyra, Double Trapeze, Stilt Walking and more,” said Christine Aiken, Asheville Aerial Arts’ Artistic Director. “This show is an uplifting journey for the entire family, and is a great way to witness our troupe’s grace and athleticism up close!”

UP will take audiences on a journey through one man’s life and the adventures he experiences along the way. We see Carl as a young boy, growing up with his sweetheart Ellie. They celebrate their marriage in a doubles trapeze piece that is sure to thrill you with impressive skills and tenderness between Ellie and Carl. Ellie’s loss of life is honored through a moving lyra performance, sure to bring tears to your eyes. The show moves on to introduce a new apparatus, the aerial window, as well as a mirror sling, demonstrating the troupe’s creativity. Along the way, Carl introduces audiences to a giant bird, and a child (aerials performed by a mere 5 year old) he meets along the way. The finale features graceful yet strong artists, swinging through the air on silks, while executing stunning aerial acrobatics. 

For more information about UP or about Asheville Community Theatre, please visit www.ashevilletheatre.org.

Carolina Day School's Driscoll names WNC Coach of the Year

Carolina Day School’s Mark Driscoll has been named the All-WNC Cross-Country Girls Coach of the Year by the Asheville Citizen-Times. The Citizen-Times All-WNC recognitions are compiled from nominations by area coaches from all divisions. Driscoll coaches the varsity cross-country and track-and-field teams for both boys and girls. He’s also a Key School faculty member and teaches multi-sensory math, social studies and technology education to Middle School students.

“Mark Driscoll embodies the quintessential independent school coach committed to the students both inside the classroom and on the athletic field,” said Athletic Director Steve Henry. “We couldn’t ask for a better role-model for our student athletes.”

Driscoll served as the head coach of this year’s Carolina Day varsity girls cross-country team that claimed the NCISAA 2A State Championship in October. This victory is the first cross-country state championship title for the Wildcats since 2006, and the tenth NCISAA championship title earned by the girls cross-country program.

“The athletes worked through challenges by focusing on the process, rather than the outcome,” said Driscoll. “They chose not to define success by finishing time or place, but instead by emphasizing effort and trust in each other. Before they even crossed the finishing line at the NCISAA Championships, they had won.”

Carolina Day’s scoring runners were Ralene Kwiatkowski (second place), Kathleen Norton (fifth), Peyton Jenkins (13th), Anabelle Schultz (21st), and Eliza Van Wye (27th).

“Coach Driscoll always talks about working together and helping each other improve,” said NCISAA All-State performer sophomore Ralene Kwiatkowski.

Driscoll is a former Team Academic All-American at Quinnipiac University in Hampden, CT. He competed in the 2014 Boston Marathon and finished 116th overall out of 37,000 runners. Driscoll joined Carolina Day in 2009 and says the school fosters curiosity, self-discovery, and independence. As a teacher, he says he challenges students to explore, take risks, and find their passions through academics, athletics, and the arts. Driscoll holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Quinnipiac University.

“We're exceptionally proud of the work Mark does with our student athletes,” said Athletic Director Steve Henry. “He is a true professional in the best sense of the word - fully committed to his craft and works tirelessly to promote the benefits of sport. This is a well-deserved honor.”

ESPNU selects Coastal Carolina at UNC-Asheville as its Jan. 22 Big South Wildcard broadcast

ESPNU has selected the Coastal Carolina at UNC Asheville men’s basketball contest scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22 as its Big South Wildcard broadcast, it was announced today by the Big South Conference office.  Game time will be 7:00pm inside Kimmel Arena in Asheville, N.C.

Both teams currently sit atop the Big South standings at 2-0 following the opening week of League play.  Coastal Carolina is 11-3 overall, while Asheville enters this week 6-7.  The teams split the season series a year ago, with the home team claiming victory in each game.

Coastal Carolina’s appearance will mark the third consecutive season that the Chanticleers will play a Big South game on ESPNU, while UNC Asheville is making its third League appearance on the 24-hour college sports network in as many years.  The Chants are led by Josh Cameron, who is averaging a team-leading 14.2 points coming off the bench and 17.5 points in Big South games.  UNC Asheville’s top player is Andrew Rowsey, who leads the Big South with 19.5 points per game.

The Coastal Carolina at UNC Asheville game is the second of four Big South ESPNU Wildcard broadcasts this season.  ESPNU also has Wildcard broadcasts scheduled for Friday, Feb. 6 at 9:00pm and Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7:00pm, and those selections will be determined three weeks in advance.