The Traveling Bonfires (Re)Launches The Indie with Twin Event on June 8

THE Traveling Bonfires presents a twin event on June 8 as part of its continuing series of fundraisers that promote “community connectedness through cultural diversity” and to (re)launch its partner project, The Indie publication.
     From 5 PM to 9, the organization holds the 3^rd event in its continuing “Bonfires for Peace” concert series at Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville—featuring local hip hop act The Ones and Lyric, a popular blues-folk act fronted by singer-guitarist Leeda Jones. Also performing are spoken word artist Roberto Hess and visiting rap performer SheemOne TheMC from Columbia SC.

     An after-party that also serves as The Indie's launch event, dubbed “The Traveling Bonfires Make Peace with Asheville Aliens,” highlighting trance Goa DJs Kri and Sensoma of Touch Samadhi happens starting 9:30 all the way past midnight at the Emerald Lounge (112 Lexington Avenue), also in downtown. DJ Michael Heinerth opens the show.

     Touch Samadhi is a perennial act in the organization's “Bonfires for Peace” events since 2004. The show is also a costume ball that accentuates Asheville's diversity. Attendees are enjoined to come on alien/extra terrestrial outfits; prizes are given out to patrons courtesy of local businesses that support the Traveling Bonfires. A cover of $5 goes to TBonfires' community projects, as well as the American Cancer Society.

     “Bonfires for Peace” had its birthing in Asheville in 2003; the program also had parallel events in Baltimore, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Manila and Baguio City in the Philippines through the years. This year's series started last April 13. Other dates and performers: July 13, Peace Jones, with Liam Christopher McKay, and Keith Kimmel. Emcee is Jadwiga McKay; and August 11, Kri and Touch Samadhi.

     “Asheville loves this kind of fun,” says Marta Osborne, TBonfires supervising producer. “And when this city's beautiful people are costumed colorfully, dancing and having fun—we forget arguments and bickerings. We just become one.”

     Founded by journalist-editor Pasckie Pascua in Manila during the Philippines' turbulent 80s, the Traveling Bonfires has made Asheville its home since moving here from New York City in 2002. It had a two-year sojourn in Los Angeles from 2007 to 2009, “but Asheville is our home barrio, this is where we belong,” explains Pascua.

     Local businesses that donated gift certificates, among other generous gifts, are: Bruisin' Ales, Fired Up! Loved by the Buffalo/The Indie, Malaprop's, MariJo Moore, Moe's, Mellow Mushroom, Neo Cantina, Old Europe, ScreenDoor, SOLA (Asheville's Therapeutic Salt Cave), Westville Pub, and The Blotter, a publication based in Durham NC.

     The Traveling Bonfires' events enjoyed the support of a number of local Asheville businesses, organizations, and individuals. Projects have benefited non-profit organizations that work with at-risk youths, families of the disappeared, orphans, and disaster victims.