ASHEVILLE – With Tropical Storm Helene’s arrival in the fall of 2024, the streets of downtown Asheville turned eerily quiet as businesses remained closed and without the regular hustle and bustle of people in the streets. What was further missing was the cacophony of music and gaiety created by the buskers, the rogue creatives who make up the city’s unofficial soundtrack.
“All of a sudden there’s this vibe that was there that’s not there. It’s immediate, and it’s understandable by most people who care about and love our city,” said Bryan Matheny, a local musician and former busker who is organizing a new event, focusing on the city’s street performers.
On May 2-3, Matheny will debut what is planned as an annual festival to usher in spring, Asheville Buskerfest. The outdoor concerts will be hosted at Pack Square Park, Pritchard Park and throughout the River Arts District…