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Ask anyone who has been a part of Asheville's last thirty years or so, and they will tell you that The Orange Peel, a massive music venue and nightspot on Biltmore Avenue, was, at one time, the place to "see and be seen." On many nights through the '60s and '70s, the sounds of great rhythm and blues or soul artists could be heard through the familiar doors of the popular club. Those days are back - with a Grand Opening on October 25 - and The Orange Peel once again has become a center for great evening entertainment for people looking for music, dancing, food, and a good excuse to dress up.Jack and Lesley Groetsch, former owners of the nationally known and much celebrated Howlin' Wolf nightclub in New Orleans, have moved to Asheville, and have spent the past many months preparing the club for its re-opening. The building, which can accommodate 900-1,000 people (standing room) for a show, has seen a furious flurry of construction since the Groetsch's arrival. For Friday night's grand opening, The Orange Peel was packed with an over-flow crowd, and the newly remolded interior was an obvious hit with everyone in attendance. The Groetsch's desire to book a wide variety of groups and single artists that cover an extraordinarily broad range of music styles is sure to please Asheville music fans. Through the course of a year, top notch touring musicians who play Latin, Cajun, zydeco, swing, country, blues, hip-hop, jazz, funk, jazz-fusion, rock, R & B, and many other genres will pass through The Orange Peel. With Asheville's well-known beauty and its terrific location between New York and large markets further south, The Orange Peel is likely to attract acts that might not normally stop in a city of this size.
Landreth, quite possibly the best slide guitarist in the country, can count none other than Bonnie Raitt herself among his fans. Ms. Raitt is regularly seen at the Howlin' Wolf whenever her schedule permits and Landreth is on stage. Known as a "musician's musician," Landreth's high-energy performance on Friday night was no exception. Tift Merritt, a Texas-turned-North Carolina singer/songwriter/guitarist, opened The Orange Peel on Friday night. Merritt is considered a strong up-and-coming artist with a style reminiscent of an early Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, or Bonnie Raitt, and he gave an outstanding performance. But The Orange Peel is not simply a music venue. The new owners, recognizing The Orange Peel's place in local history, are also offering the facility for regular use as a center for community events. One such event, a holiday auction and concert to benefit The Children's Center, was held on December 8. The club's tag line, "social aid and pleasure club," has its origin in New Orleans' Mardi Gras, where club owners use their facilities throughout the year to "promote a spirit of community and 'social aid,' and to be a gathering place for more pleasurable events, such as parties, weddings and - of course - live music."
The Orange Peel is a non-smoking facility. The bar features beer and wine only, with an impressive 40 taps available. The wine menu is also quite extensive, and offers a nice quality of wines from which to choose. The food menu is small, but extremely tasty. It includes Cajun and Creole foods such as gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and muffalatta. While most of the events at The Orange Peel will be for ages 21 and older, many family events will be offered with younger people in mind. Ticket prices vary from performer to performer. Tickets are still available for all performances. The easiest way to purchase tickets is through The Orange Peel's web site, www.theorangepeel.net, but patrons may also call 828-225-5851 for tickets or more information. The Orange Peel is located at 101 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. Plenty of parking is available in the area.
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The entertainment for opening night was a special blend of New Orleans and North Carolina musicians, with Louisiana slide guitarist Sonny Landreth as the headliner, and Chapel Hill singer/songwriter Tift Merritt as the opening act. 
Another unique feature of The Orange Peel is the art gallery/store of Susie Millions that is located in the front of the building. A very gifted artist, Millions' art gallery features music-related art and cultural artifacts. Music-related merchandise is also available for purchase through the gallery/store.