Ten years ago, the MatchStrike Youth Arts Showcase brought together dozens of young artists to showcase local talent in a hybrid gallery-concert style event. Many of the artists featured then have gone on to build successful careers for themselves in the arts.
\nOn Wednesday, March 4th, MatchStrike will, for the first time since 2016, once again showcase 20 local young artists. The event will feature spoken word poets, indie singer\/songwriters, studio artists, filmmakers, and photographers from the Asheville area.
\n\u201cI can\u2019t believe it’s been a decade since MatchStrike and that first showcase brought an unmatched talent into one space,\u201d said Heidi Freeman, a teacher at Asheville High School who helped organize the original event. \u201cWhat made that group great was the way they collaborated. The young artists in Asheville today are just as talented and events like this help them find an audience and a space to create together.\u201d
\nAt 6:30 p.m., doors will open with a gallery of art exhibits from six student artists. At 7:00, the event will transition into a concert that will range from spoken word poetry to alternative rock music — and artists from different groups and genres will collaborate for performances within the show.
\n\u201cI\u2019ve been playing guitar since I was 11 and singing since I was little,\u201d said Harper Klapheke, one of the featured artists. \u201cI hope to continue to play music in the future\u2026and would really love to be able to share my music and perform.”
\nAlong with showcasing their talents at the event, MatchStrike hopes to help artists create an audience for their works and establish themselves as professionals.
\nArtists who participate in the event will each be setting a project goal. Tickets must be reserved but are free; instead of an admission price, we are asking audience members to donate directly to artists toward this project goal.
\n\u201cI\u2019m currently writing and recording my debut album, which will be your go-to for nighttime drives and melancholy moods,\u201d said self-taught guitarist Paul Danko. \u201cMy project goal is to complete my album in my home studio.\u201d
\nArtists donation links will be available and some will be selling art at the event.
\nDoors open at 6:30 on Wednesday, March 4th and performances begin at 7:00 in the Arts Theater at Asheville High School. Theater space is limited and tickets should be reserved at https:\/\/ashevillehstheatre.ludus.com\/200520374.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ten years ago, the MatchStrike Youth Arts Showcase brought together dozens of young artists to showcase local talent in a hybrid gallery-concert style event. Many of the artists featured then […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":89076,"template":"","meta":{"_tribe_events_status":"","_tribe_events_status_reason":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"tribe_events_cat":[],"class_list":["post-89074","tribe_events","type-tribe_events","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n