Calendar of Events

At Asheville Ideas Fest, our goal is to engage in meaningful conversations on topics that truly matter while showcasing the beauty of Asheville and the talented artists, entertainers, and chefs that make this city unique.  This intellectual vacation offers attendees the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and expert panelists while enjoying excellent food and entertainment.  It’s an investment in yourself that allows for reflection and renewal. Our artist in residence this year is William Paul Thomas.  William is a talented Durham-based artist and he’ll be presenting his work in the S. Tucker Cooke Gallery in our newly renovated Owen Hall on the UNC Asheville campus.  If you’d like a preview of William’s work you can check out his website: www.williampaulthomas.com We have put together an exceptional program this year. We are honored to welcome Sanjay Gupta, Juju Chang, Tom Friedman, and Kwame Alexander.  Graham Sharp of the Steep Canyon Rangers will be returning for an evening concert.  Wiley Cash has curated a fantastic lineup of bestselling authors.  Broadway actor Bryan Terrell Clark, who played George Washington in Hamilton and Marvin Gaye in Motown, will perform an exclusive sunset concert with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra at the Grove Park Inn.  You can find the full program at www.exploreasheville.com/asheville-ideas-fest/2023-schedule-of-events/. We are excited to launch a national marketing campaign next week.  You may see Asheville Ideas Fest in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Atlantic Monthly. If you’re a PBS viewer, keep an eye out for our 15-second underwriting promos during your favorite primetime shows. Early registration is available to our friends through this Saturday, April 15 and you can save $150 on a pass.

Auditions for our September show, Honky Tonk Angels, will be held

Sunday, July 16, 2023 @ 3:00 p.m. and
Monday, July 17, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m.
at Tryon Little Theater Workshop, 516 S. Trade St., Tryon, NC.

Show dates: September 28- October 1 (5 performances at Tryon Fine Arts Center).

Rehearsals will begin mid-August. Director: Dan Harvey & Music Director: Pam McNeil

Needed: 3 women

Strong singers in the country/gospel style

Each Auditioner will:

1. Sing a short SOLO in the country or gospel style. (Bring sheet music for the accompanist.)
2. Participate in a short DANCE audition.
3. READ from the script.

When three gutsy gals from different backgrounds take charge of their lives, they decide to follow their honky tonk dreams to the city of Nashville. Combining 30 classic country tunes (including “Stand By Your Man,” “9 to 5,” “Harper Valley PTA,” and more!) Honky Tonk Angels is a hilarious, foot-stomping good time from the creator of Always… Patsy Cline.

CHARACTERS:
– ANGELA (late 30s- early 40s). A Texas housewife who has a great sense of humor and a fiercely independent streak. She identifies with “Roseanne,” an earth-mother comedienne.
– DARLENE (late teens- early 20s). A young woman from the Deep South. She is pretty, sweet, and simple. She grew up in a coal mining town in West Virginia and the Mississippi Delta. She plays simple guitar. She also clogs.
– SUE ELLEN (early to mid- 30s). A Los Angeles career woman. She is a “citified” country girl. Smart, very attractive, sexy and frustrated. She dances, roller skates, and twirls baton (if possible). She also clogs. She should be a very good dancer.

Taxes can be stressful for small business owners – you wear many hats and the last thing you want to do is give more of your hard-earned business income to the government. This webinar will offer you several ways to reduce your taxable income and shrink your tax liability this year. We’ll start with the top three ways to keep on the good side of the IRS, discuss retirement accounts, business structure and more. Bring your questions and our experienced tax preparers will give you ways to keep more of your money working for you.

If we see you have registered here (on SCORE) but not on Zoom, we will enter your information with Zoom so that you receive the needed link to join the class.

Instructor: Keith Bristol, Accountant, Carol L. King & Associates, P.A.

Originally from Morganton, North Carolina, Keith was a small business owner and a software engineer before deciding accounting was his calling. He simply loves numbers! Keith received a BS degree in Business & Economics from University of Kentucky, and later an MS in Computer Science from the University of Nebraska. He owned a Domino’s Pizza franchise in Hartford, Connecticut from 1987 to 1996, and worked as a software engineer for IBM before returning to North Carolina to pursue accounting. Keith is the proud uncle of 7 nieces and nephews, has a pet Australian Shepherd named Lucy, and enjoys playing tennis and pickle ball as well as reading and exploring the great outdoors.

🌟 AYPROS Pub Club 🍻 is our monthly networking social event where members come together to connect, unwind, and foster meaningful relationships in a casual setting. 🤝 Each month, we select a different local bar or restaurant as the venue for Pub Club. 📍 It’s an excellent opportunity to relax, have fun, and engage with fellow young professionals in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. ✨

🥂 As an added perk, we kick off the evening by offering the first drink on us! 🍹 Whether you prefer a craft beer 🍺, a signature cocktail 🍸, or a non-alcoholic beverage 🥤, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 🎉 Pub Club takes place on every fourth Tuesday of the month, starting at 5:30 PM. ⏰ Mark your calendars 📆 and join us for an enjoyable evening of networking, laughter, and new connections. 💼🗣️

Note: Please drink responsibly 🚫🍻 and arrange for a safe and sober means of transportation. 🚗💨

AYPROS IS POWERED BY FIRST BANK .

AYPROS is committed to providing accessible and inclusive programming for all members of our community. For questions about accessibility, requests for accommodations, or to inform about dietary restrictions, please contact [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance of the event.

Are you managing both a full or nearly full-time job while simultaneously running your own business (and going a little bit crazy in the process)? If so this free seminar is for you. Many of us have given up on the idea of having a personal life. We worry that we can’t keep up our current pace and wonder when or if there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. In this seminar, you will learn practical tips on how to effectively juggle both your primary job and your side hustle while still growing your business and maintaining a personal life. We’ll also cover when and if you should transition out of your primary job and make that leap to running your own business full time. And finally, we’ll discuss how to maintain your sanity and protect your health as you’re juggling both, while you’re transitioning to running your own business full-time and after you’ve made the leap to full-time entrepreneur.

Instructor: Eliza Burr

Elizabeth (Eliza) Burr launched and grew two successful businesses, Preferred Pet Partners LLC and The Pet Business Coach. She’s a veteran in the pet care business space and has extensive practical experience in the pet sitting and dog walking industry. With degrees in Zoology and Molecular Biology, she’s had a varied career with 30 years spent in global companies in a variety of roles including Operations, R&D, Quality, and Continuous Improvement. She’s led organizations of up to 2400 employees and operations across the US and Canada. She’s traveled extensively for her career living in 13 states and 4 countries. In 2017 she launched her first side hustle and in 2018 she jumped the corporate ship to pursue her passion for animals and small business and has never looked back!

The Building Our City Speaker Series is presented by The Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation with support from the Asheville Downtown Association Foundation, the City of Asheville, Carleton Collins Architecture, Mosaic Lifestyle Realty, Kimpton Hotel Arras and The Collider. The series is produced by the Asheville Downtown Association and Urban3.

The series is focused on housing for 2023.

Doors open at 5:30pm and the session begins at 6pm.

Featured Speaker:

Eric Kronberg is a zoning whisperer. He specializes in examining and demystifying zoning ordinances to find ways to make great projects possible and help others navigate through the zoning swamp. He uses his skills for the force of good as a principal at Kronberg Urbanists + Architects, leading the firm’s pre-development efforts by combining skills in planning, development, architecture, and zoning. Eric leverages this potent cocktail to chart the course of best possibilities for each site’s redevelopment. His work with KUA, the Incremental Development Alliance, the Congress for the New Urbanism, the Georgia Conservancy, and the National Town Builders Association has solidified his stance as an advocate for walkable and bikeable communities.

At Hopscotch, their mission is to transform rural health in America through advanced primary care for Medicare patients. To make this happen, they knew they were going to have to build something that did not already exist: a company built with purpose and mission, that leverages the strength of communities they seek to serve, combined with incredible skill and expertise around operations and technology to enable better things for patients, caregivers, clinicians, and communities.

Come join them for their Grand Opening of their Asheville clinic! Enjoy light refreshments, tour the clinic and meet their team all while learning more about the new level of primary care they are offering the Asheville community!

AVL Digital Nomads – set your Mojo FREE!

Mojo Coworking is hosting another coworking day just for us!
In the Mojo Social Hall, they’ll have a combination of individual desks and group work tables for up to 50 people. Grab a single desk by the window, or share a round table with friends for the day. Upstairs, phone booths will be available on a drop-in basis, and a conference room by reservation.

Snacks will be provided by…all of us! It’s the return of the snack potluck — if you’re up for it, bring something easy to share with the group.

Interested in Mojo membership? Join with the summer promo!
Summer Membership includes 10 Flex Work hours & 2 conference room credits for only $20.

Please make sure you’re able to attend if you RSVP — this will no doubt be a popular event.

NOTE: The coworking day ends at 4pm, but you’ll want to stick around for the Mojo Summer Social event afterward — learn more and register here.

These monthly events provide a chance to make valuable connections with other Chamber members and learn more about getting engaged in Chamber opportunities and the business community as a whole.

Feel free to bring a gift to be offered as a door prize towards the end of the evening. Bring your business cards for networking and a chance to win prizes!

This event is offered as a benefit for Chamber membership. We welcome you to come and check us out! Please contact Jessica Kanupp, our Member Development Specialist, at [email protected] if you’re considering a Chamber membership.

Auditions For Honky Tonk Angels

Auditions for our September show, Honky Tonk Angels, will be held

Sunday, July 16, 2023 @ 3:00 p.m. and
Monday, July 17, 2023 @ 7:00 p.m.
at Tryon Little Theater Workshop, 516 S. Trade St., Tryon, NC.

Show dates: September 28- October 1 (5 performances at Tryon Fine Arts Center).

Rehearsals will begin mid-August. Director: Dan Harvey & Music Director: Pam McNeil

Needed: 3 women

Strong singers in the country/gospel style

Each Auditioner will:

1. Sing a short SOLO in the country or gospel style. (Bring sheet music for the accompanist.)
2. Participate in a short DANCE audition.
3. READ from the script.

When three gutsy gals from different backgrounds take charge of their lives, they decide to follow their honky tonk dreams to the city of Nashville. Combining 30 classic country tunes (including “Stand By Your Man,” “9 to 5,” “Harper Valley PTA,” and more!) Honky Tonk Angels is a hilarious, foot-stomping good time from the creator of Always… Patsy Cline.

CHARACTERS:
– ANGELA (late 30s- early 40s). A Texas housewife who has a great sense of humor and a fiercely independent streak. She identifies with “Roseanne,” an earth-mother comedienne.
– DARLENE (late teens- early 20s). A young woman from the Deep South. She is pretty, sweet, and simple. She grew up in a coal mining town in West Virginia and the Mississippi Delta. She plays simple guitar. She also clogs.
– SUE ELLEN (early to mid- 30s). A Los Angeles career woman. She is a “citified” country girl. Smart, very attractive, sexy and frustrated. She dances, roller skates, and twirls baton (if possible). She also clogs. She should be a very good dancer.

Lilac Health Asheville Birth and Wellnes Center has been thoughtfully designed to create a warm and welcoming environment for expecting families. Our center features state-of-the-art birthing suites, each with a private bathroom and comfortable furnishings. Our staff of experienced midwives and birth assistants will provide personalized care throughout the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, we will celebrate the opening of this wonderful facility and welcome everyone to tour the center, to take a closer look at our beautiful birthing suites, learn about our services, and meet our team. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask any questions and enjoy light refreshments.

Whether you are expecting or simply interested in learning more about our Birth Center, all is welcome to join us for this special occasion. We are excited to share this new chapter with our community and look forward to seeing you there!

Chamber members impact the local business community by making an investment in Chamber membership. Whether you’re a new member, a long-time member with new staff, or a business who’s considering membership, we welcome you to attend our Chamber Orientation to learn how to get the most value from your membership investment.

Chamber President Kit Cramer will give an overview of the work the Chamber is doing every day to build our community, including how we support our thriving economy by growing jobs, advocating for a business-friendly environment and helping our members prosper. We’ll dive into member benefits and share ideas of how you can take advantage of the many opportunities available to you as a member. You’ll also have a chance to meet Chamber staff and learn how you can get more engaged.

Orientation is also a great chance to meet other Chamber members.

This event is free, but registration is requested in order to help us plan appropriately.

Your Chance to Build Great Connections – You Don’t Want to Miss This Event! Business After Hours is the Chamber’s premier networking event and the best chance for your to make valuable connections to build your business – all while having a great time! With fantastic food and beverages compliments of our host sponsor, and the chance to win great door prizes – this event is the best combination of business and fun! There is no cost to attend but registration is required. July’s Business After Hours is Veteran’s Healing Farm! Register Now