ABSFest Performer FAQs

1. Where should I stay?
2. Where should I eat?
3. Where do I park?
4. Do I have to take workshops to perform in the show?
5. Will my performance be recorded and can I get a copy?
6. Do I get paid to perform at ABSfest?
7. Can I get guests into the show?
8. Are there opportunities to vend?
9. How do I volunteer?

Further questions? Contact Assistant Producer Torva at aabsfest@gmail.com or 828 808 0270.

1. Where should I stay?
This event is integrated into the downtown life of Asheville, rather than being contained in a convention center. Being an intimate city, it is fairly easy to get from the hotels to the ABSfest action. Asheville is silly with hotels, B & Bs and even a hostel. A list of suggested lodging follows this FAQ page.

2. Where should I eat?
Likewise, Asheville is a food lover’s haven with everything from excellent BBQ, haute world cuisine, and vegan pub food. Microbreweries and whole foods groceries abound as well. See the list below, or come a few days early and really get a feel for the unique flavor of this little ‘Paris of the South’.

3. Do I have to take workshops to perform in the show?
You must participate in the educational component of the ABSfest mission to be featured in the show. This requirement may be met by teaching, or attending, any of the dozen or so workshops we offer. Teachers are likewise encouraged to take each other’s classes. By showing support, we can create camaraderie in the arts and ensure the well-being of the festival. ABSfest assumes that artists serious enough to perform in this showcase are committed to both their own professional growth and the development of an educated community.

4. Are there opportunities to vend?
We are pleased to offer expanded vending opportunities for ABSfest 2008.

At the workshops, all performers are welcome to bring a 4 x 6 vending table or smaller for use at the class venue, free of charge. We are creating a relaxed vending area in the corridor that surrounds the class space. PLEASE LET US KNOW IN ADVANCE if you plan to utilize this option. The workshop space and corridor will be locked when no one will be present, but for additional security, performers s are encouraged to pack wares into containers under their covered tables when absent.
Be aware that the venue is on a rather high second floor. Be prepared to carry your wares up and down, as we may or may not have volunteers to help with this.

At the Saturday show, we can offer all performers use of the merchandise case adjacent to the stage at the Saturday night venue. The case will be staffed by trusted ABSfest staff to sell your carefully inventoried goods. For this service ABSfest retains 10%. Be aware that space is limited. You are responsible to provide ABSfest with inventory lists and prices.
For Artists and Vendors who wish to offer a more extensive presentation at the Saturday show, a modest fee of $125 gets a 5 x 8 prime vending spot for your rack and/or table, in a high visibility, high traffic area. The venue does not permit anything be hung on the walls behind your booth, so Vendors are encouraged to create your own verticals for display if needed. We also offer the opportunity to purchase program advertising in the evening program. Five hundred people attended last year’s show. Please contact Torva for rates & information.

Those planning to have wares at both venues will need to load OUT of the show venue Saturday evening, and IN to the workshop again in the morning. The show venue is directly across the street from the workshop venue, so although it involves some walking, your wares do not have far to travel.
Also, Saturday and Sunday morning workshop vendors may wish to pull up directly in front of the movement center doors to unload, or use the pull-in next to the door. You MUST move your car from this spot promptly, as this is private parking. Please be respectful of our neighbors.

5. Do I get paid to perform at ABSfest?
Several headliners are hired to perform at ABSfest. The body of the show is comprised of local, regional and national artists who come together to enjoy a weekend of festivity, education, networking and performance. Folks who invest in the event are our priority for future staff and performers. The ABSfest performances are held at Asheville’s most historic and inspiring venues, so as to provide the best possible setting for the participating artists to present and document their work.

6. Can I get guests into the show?
Generally, no. In 2007, the Orange Peel show was standing room only with tickets holders, vendors and staff. We do have limited volunteer opportunities available.

7. Where do I park?
All ABSfest events are within eyeshot of each other. For the daytime workshops, park in the lower gravel lots at the Food Co-op. One is located behind the store and the other is downhill from the store, across from the Orange Peel on the corner of Biltmore Ave and Hilliard Ave.
For the Friday and Saturday events, consider the parking garage just up the street from the Fine Arts Theater on Biltmore Ave. Please be sensitive to the Co-op need to keep its parking open for shoppers. Noncompliance with this consideration may result in your being towed.

8. Will my performance be recorded and can I get a copy?
All ABSfest events are digitally recorded for the festival archives. The dvd is made available on a limited basis for workshop attendees and show artists. You must pre-order your dvd. Looney Bin Production will be recording, mastering the show and handling all matters pertaining to the dvd. This 3rd party has given us excellent results in the past. Looney Bin will request a limited waiver from each performer.
Artists may choose to refrain from appearing on the dvd for sale. Dvds will be available for $30 plus shipping.

9. Can I volunteer?
A limited number of volunteers are needed to assist with vending, programs and other festival necessities on a first come, first serve basis. In exchange, we can offer passes to ABSfest events. Please contact Torva directly for volunteer information.

FOOD & LODGING: WELCOME TO ABSFEST

Part of the charm of ABSfest is that it is here in Asheville, known early this century as the Paris of the South. Famous for being an edgy, artistic, cultured community, downtown Asheville offers many cosmopolitan choices for the discerning diner and shopper.

General Food Shopping:
French Broad Food Co-op, whole foods. 90 Biltmore Avenue, 828.255.7650 (below the workshop site )
Greenlife Grocery, full service deli and natural foods grocery. 70 Merrimon Ave. 828.254.5440
Ingles Grocery, mainstream grocery. 29 Tunnel Road.

Places To Eat Lunch & Dinner:
Mamacita’s, fresh fast mexican. 77 Biltmore Avenue, 828.255.8080
Laughing Seed, upscale vegetarian. 40 Wall St, 828.252.3445
Barley’s, microbrew and pubfood. 42 Biltmore Ave. 828.255.0504
Doc Chey’s, fast thai food and sake. 37 Biltmore Ave. 828.252.8220

Late Night:
Old Europe, coffee drinks, cocktails, and highbrow desserts. 41 N Lexington Ave. 828.252.0001
Rosetta’s, vegan pub food everyone can love. 111 Broadway Street, 828.232.0738
Mela, good martini bar and Indian food. 70 N Lexington Ave. 828.225.8880
BoBo Gallery & Wine Bar, 22 N Lexington Avenue. 828.254.3426
Zambra Tapas & Wine Bar, 85 W. Walnut Street. 828.232.1060

Coffee and Breakfast:
The Dripolator, great local coffee & smoothies. 144 Biltmore Ave. 828.252.0021
The Early Girl, excellent breakfast. 8 Wall St. 828.259.9292
City Bakery, coffee, fresh bread, sandwiches. 60 Biltmore Ave. 828.252.4426
Izzys Coffee, coffee, bagels, grunge ambiance. 74 N. Lexington Ave. 828.258.2004

Suggested Lodgings Convenient to Downtown:

Econolodge - 190 Tunnel Road, Asheville - (828) 254-9521
Extended Stay, have kitchenettes - Kenilworth Knoll, (828) 253-3483
Bon Paul & Sharkey’s Hostel, cheap, has a hot tub - 816 Haywood Rd, (828) 350-9929

Pricier options in downtown include the Renaissance Hotel, 31 Woodfin St. (828) 252-5563
& historic Haywood Park Hotel, 1 Battery Park Ave. (828) 251-1529