Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
January through April
Actors portray characters from Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Story “Three Boys with Jugs of Molasses and Secret Ambitions.”
NPS Photo
Educators in grades 3-12 are invited to submit original poems written by their students in February. The poems will be judged and winners announced in April. Find the 2022 Poetry Contest Information and submission guidelines here. The theme “Ambition” is from one of Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Stories, to celebrate it’s 100th year of being published. “An ambition…creeps in your heart night and day, singing a little song, ‘Come and find me, come and find me.”
Students are invited to submit a poem to Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site’s annual Student Poetry Contest. The contest encourages youth to explore writing their own poetry, and is open to students nationwide!
Submissions are accepted from grades 3-12 and must be postmarked by March 1, 2022. See below for submission rules.
Winners will be notified by April 8, 2022, and will be invited to participate in a special virtual program on April 22.
2022 Contest Rules
Theme – “Ambition”
Carl Sandburg wrote millions of words reflecting on the American experience of the 20th century. Though his words often focused on war, labor, and social injustice, as a father of three, he also wrote imaginative, zany, and fantastical children’s stories, called “Rootabaga Stories.” Carl Sandburg’s “Rootabaga Stories” were first published in 1922 and celebrate 100 years of entertaining readers of all ages this year. The theme “Ambition” is from one of these stories. “An ambition…creeps in your heart night and day, singing a little song, ‘Come and find me, come and find me.” Read the story here.
Poems submitted for the 2022 contest should reflect the theme of “Ambition.” By definition, a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. Or setting goals to achieve success.
Submission Rules
- Poetry accepted from 3-12th grades only. Poems will be grouped for judging by 3-5th, 6-8th, and 9-12th.
- Poems must be submitted by a teacher (traditional classroom or homeschool teacher).
- No more than three poems per class. Teachers with multiple classes, can submit up to three poems per class period.
- Poem will be judged on its ability to communicate the theme.
- Poem can be written in any style, but must not exceed one-page in length. No illustrations.
- Poems must be typed, no handwritten entries, using standard computer fonts, like Times, Arial, etc…
- Do not place any identifying information (name, school, grade, etc…) on poem sheet, that will go on the accompanying submission form.
- Submission form must be complete to be accepted:
- Paperclipped to poem, no staples
- Must be signed by parent, student and teacher
- Submissions must be postmarked, faxed, or e-mailed to [email protected], by March 1, 2022. Emailed submissions must be docs, .pdfs or scans. Low resolution pictures of the submission will not be accepted.
Judging
Judges from the literary community will make the decision for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place within each grade category (3-5th, 6-8th, 9-12th).
Poetry Partners
The 2022 Poetry Contest is a result of tremendous community support including the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, and literary volunteers who serve as judges. Thank you.
Poetry Resources
You may also find curriculum resources to use in the classroom at the park’s website: www.nps.gov/carl/learn/education/index.htm.
Send Submissions to:
Carl Sandburg Home NHS
Attn: Poetry Contest
81 Carl Sandburg Lane
Flat Rock, North Carolina 28731
Fax 828-693-4179
Email: [email protected]
January through April
Actors portray characters from Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Story “Three Boys with Jugs of Molasses and Secret Ambitions.”
NPS Photo
Educators in grades 3-12 are invited to submit original poems written by their students in February. The poems will be judged and winners announced in April. Find the 2022 Poetry Contest Information and submission guidelines here. The theme “Ambition” is from one of Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Stories, to celebrate it’s 100th year of being published. “An ambition…creeps in your heart night and day, singing a little song, ‘Come and find me, come and find me.”
Students are invited to submit a poem to Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site’s annual Student Poetry Contest. The contest encourages youth to explore writing their own poetry, and is open to students nationwide!
Submissions are accepted from grades 3-12 and must be postmarked by March 1, 2022. See below for submission rules.
Winners will be notified by April 8, 2022, and will be invited to participate in a special virtual program on April 22.
2022 Contest Rules
Theme – “Ambition”
Carl Sandburg wrote millions of words reflecting on the American experience of the 20th century. Though his words often focused on war, labor, and social injustice, as a father of three, he also wrote imaginative, zany, and fantastical children’s stories, called “Rootabaga Stories.” Carl Sandburg’s “Rootabaga Stories” were first published in 1922 and celebrate 100 years of entertaining readers of all ages this year. The theme “Ambition” is from one of these stories. “An ambition…creeps in your heart night and day, singing a little song, ‘Come and find me, come and find me.” Read the story here.
Poems submitted for the 2022 contest should reflect the theme of “Ambition.” By definition, a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. Or setting goals to achieve success.
Submission Rules
- Poetry accepted from 3-12th grades only. Poems will be grouped for judging by 3-5th, 6-8th, and 9-12th.
- Poems must be submitted by a teacher (traditional classroom or homeschool teacher).
- No more than three poems per class. Teachers with multiple classes, can submit up to three poems per class period.
- Poem will be judged on its ability to communicate the theme.
- Poem can be written in any style, but must not exceed one-page in length. No illustrations.
- Poems must be typed, no handwritten entries, using standard computer fonts, like Times, Arial, etc…
- Do not place any identifying information (name, school, grade, etc…) on poem sheet, that will go on the accompanying submission form.
- Submission form must be complete to be accepted:
- Paperclipped to poem, no staples
- Must be signed by parent, student and teacher
- Submissions must be postmarked, faxed, or e-mailed to [email protected], by March 1, 2022. Emailed submissions must be docs, .pdfs or scans. Low resolution pictures of the submission will not be accepted.
Judging
Judges from the literary community will make the decision for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place within each grade category (3-5th, 6-8th, 9-12th).
Poetry Partners
The 2022 Poetry Contest is a result of tremendous community support including the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, and literary volunteers who serve as judges. Thank you.
Poetry Resources
You may also find curriculum resources to use in the classroom at the park’s website: www.nps.gov/carl/learn/education/index.htm.
Send Submissions to:
Carl Sandburg Home NHS
Attn: Poetry Contest
81 Carl Sandburg Lane
Flat Rock, North Carolina 28731
Fax 828-693-4179
Email: [email protected]
January through April
Actors portray characters from Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Story “Three Boys with Jugs of Molasses and Secret Ambitions.”
NPS Photo
Educators in grades 3-12 are invited to submit original poems written by their students in February. The poems will be judged and winners announced in April. Find the 2022 Poetry Contest Information and submission guidelines here. The theme “Ambition” is from one of Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Stories, to celebrate it’s 100th year of being published. “An ambition…creeps in your heart night and day, singing a little song, ‘Come and find me, come and find me.”
Students are invited to submit a poem to Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site’s annual Student Poetry Contest. The contest encourages youth to explore writing their own poetry, and is open to students nationwide!
Submissions are accepted from grades 3-12 and must be postmarked by March 1, 2022. See below for submission rules.
Winners will be notified by April 8, 2022, and will be invited to participate in a special virtual program on April 22.
2022 Contest Rules
Theme – “Ambition”
Carl Sandburg wrote millions of words reflecting on the American experience of the 20th century. Though his words often focused on war, labor, and social injustice, as a father of three, he also wrote imaginative, zany, and fantastical children’s stories, called “Rootabaga Stories.” Carl Sandburg’s “Rootabaga Stories” were first published in 1922 and celebrate 100 years of entertaining readers of all ages this year. The theme “Ambition” is from one of these stories. “An ambition…creeps in your heart night and day, singing a little song, ‘Come and find me, come and find me.” Read the story here.
Poems submitted for the 2022 contest should reflect the theme of “Ambition.” By definition, a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. Or setting goals to achieve success.
Submission Rules
- Poetry accepted from 3-12th grades only. Poems will be grouped for judging by 3-5th, 6-8th, and 9-12th.
- Poems must be submitted by a teacher (traditional classroom or homeschool teacher).
- No more than three poems per class. Teachers with multiple classes, can submit up to three poems per class period.
- Poem will be judged on its ability to communicate the theme.
- Poem can be written in any style, but must not exceed one-page in length. No illustrations.
- Poems must be typed, no handwritten entries, using standard computer fonts, like Times, Arial, etc…
- Do not place any identifying information (name, school, grade, etc…) on poem sheet, that will go on the accompanying submission form.
- Submission form must be complete to be accepted:
- Paperclipped to poem, no staples
- Must be signed by parent, student and teacher
- Submissions must be postmarked, faxed, or e-mailed to [email protected], by March 1, 2022. Emailed submissions must be docs, .pdfs or scans. Low resolution pictures of the submission will not be accepted.
Judging
Judges from the literary community will make the decision for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place within each grade category (3-5th, 6-8th, 9-12th).
Poetry Partners
The 2022 Poetry Contest is a result of tremendous community support including the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, and literary volunteers who serve as judges. Thank you.
Poetry Resources
You may also find curriculum resources to use in the classroom at the park’s website: www.nps.gov/carl/learn/education/index.htm.
Send Submissions to:
Carl Sandburg Home NHS
Attn: Poetry Contest
81 Carl Sandburg Lane
Flat Rock, North Carolina 28731
Fax 828-693-4179
Email: [email protected]
This group is for everyone who suffers from a poor body image. You do not have to consider yourself to be a writer; the only requirement is that you want to heal your relationship with your body. As a Body Image Coach and a person living in this body-shaming culture, I know how painful a challenging body image can be. Writing can be a powerful tool used to heal this type of trauma. The structure of this group is that I will give out writing prompts and then everyone will write as fast as they can, without editing, for approximately ten minutes. Then there will be an opportunity for group members to share what they wrote (only if they want to) and then receive feedback from the group members on how the writing impacted them. In this safe space we can learn together how to see our bodies and ourselves in a more empowering light.
This meetup is free, but donations to cover meetup and zoom fees are gratefully accepted.
January through April
Actors portray characters from Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Story “Three Boys with Jugs of Molasses and Secret Ambitions.”
NPS Photo
Educators in grades 3-12 are invited to submit original poems written by their students in February. The poems will be judged and winners announced in April. Find the 2022 Poetry Contest Information and submission guidelines here. The theme “Ambition” is from one of Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Stories, to celebrate it’s 100th year of being published. “An ambition…creeps in your heart night and day, singing a little song, ‘Come and find me, come and find me.”
Students are invited to submit a poem to Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site’s annual Student Poetry Contest. The contest encourages youth to explore writing their own poetry, and is open to students nationwide!
Submissions are accepted from grades 3-12 and must be postmarked by March 1, 2022. See below for submission rules.
Winners will be notified by April 8, 2022, and will be invited to participate in a special virtual program on April 22.
2022 Contest Rules
Theme – “Ambition”
Carl Sandburg wrote millions of words reflecting on the American experience of the 20th century. Though his words often focused on war, labor, and social injustice, as a father of three, he also wrote imaginative, zany, and fantastical children’s stories, called “Rootabaga Stories.” Carl Sandburg’s “Rootabaga Stories” were first published in 1922 and celebrate 100 years of entertaining readers of all ages this year. The theme “Ambition” is from one of these stories. “An ambition…creeps in your heart night and day, singing a little song, ‘Come and find me, come and find me.” Read the story here.
Poems submitted for the 2022 contest should reflect the theme of “Ambition.” By definition, a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. Or setting goals to achieve success.
Submission Rules
- Poetry accepted from 3-12th grades only. Poems will be grouped for judging by 3-5th, 6-8th, and 9-12th.
- Poems must be submitted by a teacher (traditional classroom or homeschool teacher).
- No more than three poems per class. Teachers with multiple classes, can submit up to three poems per class period.
- Poem will be judged on its ability to communicate the theme.
- Poem can be written in any style, but must not exceed one-page in length. No illustrations.
- Poems must be typed, no handwritten entries, using standard computer fonts, like Times, Arial, etc…
- Do not place any identifying information (name, school, grade, etc…) on poem sheet, that will go on the accompanying submission form.
- Submission form must be complete to be accepted:
- Paperclipped to poem, no staples
- Must be signed by parent, student and teacher
- Submissions must be postmarked, faxed, or e-mailed to [email protected], by March 1, 2022. Emailed submissions must be docs, .pdfs or scans. Low resolution pictures of the submission will not be accepted.
Judging
Judges from the literary community will make the decision for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place within each grade category (3-5th, 6-8th, 9-12th).
Poetry Partners
The 2022 Poetry Contest is a result of tremendous community support including the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, and literary volunteers who serve as judges. Thank you.
Poetry Resources
You may also find curriculum resources to use in the classroom at the park’s website: www.nps.gov/carl/learn/education/index.htm.
Send Submissions to:
Carl Sandburg Home NHS
Attn: Poetry Contest
81 Carl Sandburg Lane
Flat Rock, North Carolina 28731
Fax 828-693-4179
Email: [email protected]

This series will be held the first Wednesday of the Month at 10:30 a.m. – begins Jan. 5 on Zoom.
Flash fiction is a prose narrative that takes the form of very short, self-contained stories. Flash fiction is a dynamic genre, and though it is not new, it has become popular in contemporary literary culture. With the rise of social media and short attention span readers, as well as the form’s unique ability to double as prose poetry, publishing opportunities for flash fiction abound.
In this free workshop series, we will focus on the intensity of the short prose form as “illuminated moment.” Through prompts and exercises, we will practice writing and revising a variety of flash stories. Participants will have the opportunity to share their own flash stories for feedback, as well as read and discuss selected works as models.
The classes may be taken individually or as a series. The schedule is:
- Intro to Flash Fiction: Wednesday, January 5 at 10:30 AM
- Finding the Illuminated Moment: Wednesday, February 2 at 10:30 AM
- Revising for the Iceberg Effect: Wednesday, March 2 at 10:30 AM
Beth Keefauver earned her Ph.D. in English and Creative Writing at the University of Tennessee. She has taught creative writing for the Great Smokies Writing Program as well as several colleges and universities in the region. In 2015, Beth joined the University of South Carolina Upstate Department of Languages, Literature, and Composition. Beth lives in Fairview, NC with her sons Boone & Rowan, their cat, and a flock of chickens.
This class is sponsored by Buncombe County and the Fairview Friends of the Library. Class size is limited so register early! Call 828-250-6496 or email to register.
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This workshop explores the tension between lyrical and narrative elements in flash. We will revise our stories to achieve the “iceberg effect.” The instructor will also share flash fiction resources, publications, and contests where you can submit your work. NOTE: This session works best if participants bring one or two stories, though this is not required. Flash fiction is a dynamic genre, and though it is not new, flash has become popular in contemporary literary culture. With the rise of social media and short attention span readers, as well as the form’s unique ability to double as prose poetry, publishing opportunities for flash fiction abound. In this workshop series, we will focus on the intensity of the short prose form as “illuminated moment.” Through prompts and exercises, we will practice writing and revising a variety of flash stories. Participants will have the opportunity to share their own flash stories for feedback, as well as read and discuss selected works as models. The classes may be taken individually or as a series. Beth Keefauver earned her Ph.D. in English and Creative Writing at the University of Tennessee, where she specialized in contemporary fiction, environmental literature, women’s studies, and served as a fiction editor for Grist. Her work has appeared in numerous national publications. Beth currently teaches creative and professional writing, environmental literature, women’s and gender studies at the University of South Carolina. This class is sponsored by Buncombe County and the Fairview Friends of the Library. Class size is limited, so register early! Call 828-250-6484 or email [email protected] to register. |
Muddy Sneakers is proud to host Asheville and Salisbury’s only screening of Mountainfilm on Tour this March! Join us virtually from Thursday, March 3rd to Sunday, March 6th for a fantastic weekend of community and film as we celebrate our shared passion for the outdoors. As this event is virtual, viewing the films is entirely at your leisure! Once you register for your ticket, you will receive a confirmation email with the show link. The event will go live at 9:00am ET March 3rd, and end at 11:55pm ET March 6th.
This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and our desire to raise awareness of our work in the communities we serve, we’re giving tickets away for free! We only ask for a meaningful donation to support Muddy Sneakers’ mission and work. To learn more about Muddy Sneakers, visit www.muddysneakers.org
Muddy Sneakers is proud to host Asheville and Salisbury’s only screening of Mountainfilm on Tour this March! Join us virtually from Thursday, March 3rd to Sunday, March 6th for a fantastic weekend of community and film as we celebrate our shared passion for the outdoors. As this event is virtual, viewing the films is entirely at your leisure! Once you register for your ticket, you will receive a confirmation email with the show link. The event will go live at 9:00am ET March 3rd, and end at 11:55pm ET March 6th.
This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and our desire to raise awareness of our work in the communities we serve, we’re giving tickets away for free! We only ask for a meaningful donation to support Muddy Sneakers’ mission and work. To learn more about Muddy Sneakers, visit www.muddysneakers.org
Muddy Sneakers is proud to host Asheville and Salisbury’s only screening of Mountainfilm on Tour this March! Join us virtually from Thursday, March 3rd to Sunday, March 6th for a fantastic weekend of community and film as we celebrate our shared passion for the outdoors. As this event is virtual, viewing the films is entirely at your leisure! Once you register for your ticket, you will receive a confirmation email with the show link. The event will go live at 9:00am ET March 3rd, and end at 11:55pm ET March 6th.
This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and our desire to raise awareness of our work in the communities we serve, we’re giving tickets away for free! We only ask for a meaningful donation to support Muddy Sneakers’ mission and work. To learn more about Muddy Sneakers, visit www.muddysneakers.org
Muddy Sneakers is proud to host Asheville and Salisbury’s only screening of Mountainfilm on Tour this March! Join us virtually from Thursday, March 3rd to Sunday, March 6th for a fantastic weekend of community and film as we celebrate our shared passion for the outdoors. As this event is virtual, viewing the films is entirely at your leisure! Once you register for your ticket, you will receive a confirmation email with the show link. The event will go live at 9:00am ET March 3rd, and end at 11:55pm ET March 6th.
This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and our desire to raise awareness of our work in the communities we serve, we’re giving tickets away for free! We only ask for a meaningful donation to support Muddy Sneakers’ mission and work. To learn more about Muddy Sneakers, visit www.muddysneakers.org
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Join us for creative writing online! We’ll meet on Zoom and do several rounds of writing prompts. The group is simple – we just write and read our writing to each other. This is a supportive and fun environment that gets your creative juices flowing with low stakes and lots of fun. Email [email protected] for the link to the online meeting |
Join us for an evening with Cyntoia Brown Long for our hybrid Break the Silence Speaker Series. (Espanol abajo)
About this event
Our VOICE – Break the Silence Speaker Series – Cyntoia Brown Long image
Our VOICE – Break the Silence Speaker Series – Cyntoia Brown Long image
Check out our online Event Merch Merch store here!
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¡Echa un vistazo a nuestra tienda online de merchandising para eventos aquí!
Our VOICE – Break the Silence Speaker Series – Cyntoia Brown Long image
Our VOICE – Break the Silence Speaker Series – Cyntoia Brown Long image
For the Break the Silence Speaker Series, Our VOICE hosts brave trailblazers each year who share their stories about healing from sexual violence or human trafficking. This year, our speaker is Cyntoia Brown Long, a survivor of human trafficking who is raising awareness about this growing public health problem and how prevention requires both community education and individualized support.
For fully vaccinated individuals, this event will take place in-person and wearing a mask is required. For in-person tickets, the event organizer is requiring proof of vaccination.
For individuals who are unvaccinated, unwilling to wear a mask, or not interested in attending an in-person, this event will be streamed live.
A Zoom link will be provided to all ticket holders on the morning of the event to the email address you provided for this purchase.
Spanish language translation and ASL will be provided for the virtual streaming event.
No-cost equity tickets are also available at check-out.
A huge THANK YOU to our presenting sponsor, Quility
Para la serie de oradores Break the Silence, Our VOICE invita cada año a valientes pioneros que comparten sus historias sobre la curación de la violencia sexual o la trata de personas. Este año, nuestra oradora es Cyntoia Brown Long, una sobreviviente de la trata de personas que está creando conciencia sobre este creciente problema de salud pública y cómo la prevención requiere tanto la educación de la comunidad como el apoyo individualizado.
Este evento en persona se llevará a cabo para personas completamente vacunadas y se requiere el uso de una máscara. Para las entradas en persona, el organizador del evento requiere una prueba de la vacunación.
Para las personas que no estén vacunadas, que no quieran usar una máscara o que no estén interesadas en asistir a un evento en persona, este evento se transmitirá en vivo.
Se proporcionará un enlace de Zoom a todos los poseedores de entradas en la mañana del evento a la dirección de correo electrónico que proporcionó para esta compra.
Se proporcionará traducción al español y ASL para el evento de transmisión virtual.
También hay disponibles entradas sin coste para la equidad en el momento de la compra.
Natanya Ann Pulley is a Diné writer of fiction and non-fiction. Her clans are Kinyaa’áani (Towering House People) and Táchii’nii (Red Running into Water People). She’s published work in numerous journals including Split Lip, The Offing, Waxwing, and As/Us. Anthologized essays can be found in Counternarratives from Women of Color Academics, #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women, Women Write Resistance, Shapes of Native Nonfiction and most recently The Diné Reader.
Masks are required of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Accessibility
Find accessibility information for campus buildings at maps.unca.edu. For accessibility questions or to request event accommodations, please contact [email protected] or 828.250.3832.
Visitor Parking
Visitors may park in faculty/staff and non-resident lots from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends, holidays, and campus breaks. Visitors are not permitted to park in resident student lots at any time.

UNC Asheville’s Department of English welcomes P. B. Parris Visiting Writer and author Natanya Ann Pulley to the Mountain Suites in Highsmith Union for a reading and talk as part of their spring Visiting Writers Series.
Natanya Ann Pulley is Diné and her clans are Kinyaa’áani (Towering House) and Táchii’nii (Red Running into Water). Her short story collection With Teeth was the winner of the 2018 Many Voices Project competition through New Rivers Press and published in October 2019. She’s published stories in The Massachusetts Review, Phantom Drift, Split Lip, and The Offing (among others). Her most recent anthologized essays are included in Shapes of Native Nonfiction and The Diné Reader. Natanya is the founding editor of Hairstreak Butterfly Review and an assistant professor of English at Colorado College where she teaches texts by Native American writers, Fiction Writing, and Experimental Forms in Ethnic Literature. She is at home in the mountains and the desert, and she loves collage, low-stakes crafts, and her many families including the pack of once-wolves in her home. Online publications can be found at natanyapulley.com.
This is the second of three events in the 2022 Spring Visiting Writers Series presented by the UNC Asheville English Department. Additional events include a reading and talk from Dinty Moore on February 7, and a reading and talk from bestselling author Nadia Owusu on March 29.
Additional information may be found at english.unca.edu/engage/visiting-writers-series/
Community Expectations
As members of this community, we care about everyone. Faculty, staff, students, and visitors have a shared commitment to take the necessary precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19 while following all recommended health guidelines. Please see UNC Asheville’s Community Expectations. Masks are required of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Accessibility
Find accessibility information for campus buildings at maps.unca.edu. For accessibility questions or to request event accommodations, please contact [email protected] or 828.250.3832.
Visitor Parking
Visitors must have a permit to park on campus — please visit the Transportation website to register.
One night only, local actors and advocates will be on stage sharing real stories from real women. You will laugh and maybe cry, always entertaining. This show is for everyone who has a women in their life they care about. All proceeds benefit Helpmate, Buncombe Counties Domestic Violence Support Agency.
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The Grey Eagle and Andrew Scotchie present a benefit show to raise funds for those in need in the war-torn Ukraine. All ages, 8pm show.
Perhaps one of Asheville’s greatest gifts to the world is its eclectic music community and the compassion of its members. Local artist Andrew Scotchie and The Grey Eagle have teamed up to create a night of music that advocates for peace and relief for those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Proceeds from the show will help the Ukraine Red Cross, UNICEF, and International Medical Corps as they actively support people within Ukraine and refugees fleeing the war-torn nation. Featuring performances from: Andrew Scotchie & Logan Fritz, Travers Brothers, Lo Wolk, Hunter Begley, Ashley Heath, Rhoda Weaver, Los Gatos Acoustic, Dave Desmelik, Ian Harrod, Alex Bradley, JP Furnas, and many more! What organization(s) the door donations will benefit: Ukraine Red Cross, Unicef, and International Medical Corps |

UNC Asheville’s Department of English welcomes guest bestselling author and memoirist Nadia Owusu to the Laurel Forum in Karpen Hall for a reading and talk as part of their spring Visiting Writers Series.
Whiting Award-winning author Nadia Owusu is a Ghanaian and Armenian-American writer and urbanist. She was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and raised in Italy, Ethiopia, England, Ghana, and Uganda. Her first book, Aftershocks, A Memoir (2021), topped many most-anticipated and best book of the year lists, including The New York Times, Oprah Magazine, Vogue, TIME, Vulture, and the BBC. It was a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice.
This is the final of three events in the 2022 Spring Visiting Writers Series presented by the UNC Asheville English Department. Previous events includes a reading and talk from Dinty Moore on February 7, and a reading and talk from Diné writer of fiction and non-fiction Natanya Ann Pulley on March 17.
Additional information may be found at english.unca.edu/engage/visiting-writers-series/
Community Expectations
As members of this community, we care about everyone. Faculty, staff, students, and visitors have a shared commitment to take the necessary precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19 while following all recommended health guidelines. Please see UNC Asheville’s Community Expectations. Masks are required of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Accessibility
Find accessibility information for campus buildings at maps.unca.edu. For accessibility questions or to request event accommodations, please contact [email protected] or 828.250.3832.
Visitor Parking
Visitors must have a permit to park on campus — please visit the Transportation website to register.
The English Department’s Visiting Writers Series has provided exceptional literary arts programming that is free and open to the public. Every year, our series aims to connect students, faculty, staff, and the greater Asheville community with established authors to hear their work, and the stories behind their work. Our visiting writers have engaged with students in the classroom, over meals, and during informal presentations. Recent visiting writers include Claudia Rankine, Jericho Brown, Wally Lamb, David Ebershoff, and C.J. Hauser.
Our series is funded in large part by patrons of the series. Please consider supporting this series by making a tax-deductible contribution.
Nadia Owusu is a Ghanaian and Armenian-American writer and urbanist. She was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and raised in Italy, Ethiopia, England, Ghana, and Uganda. Her first book, Aftershocks, A Memoir, topped many most-anticipated and best book of the year lists, including The New York Times, The Oprah Magazine, Vogue, TIME, Vulture, and the BBC. It was a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice.
Masks are required of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Accessibility
Find accessibility information for campus buildings at maps.unca.edu. For accessibility questions or to request event accommodations, please contact [email protected] or 828.250.3832.
Visitor Parking
Visitors may park in faculty/staff and non-resident lots from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends, holidays, and campus breaks. Visitors are not permitted to park in resident student lots at any time.
Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm at Story Parlor
April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18*
*Final class on May 18 runs from 6:30-9:30pm
Make up class reserved for May 25
Story Parlor presents Creativity Lab: a six-week exploration of the creative process, common blocks and obstacles, and ways to kickstart and sustain creative momentum.
Focused on the process and the act of doing, opposed to product or outcome, Creativity Lab explores ways to overcome fear, embrace curiosity, and channel our muse in all creative endeavors.
The six-week workshop is experiential, hands-on, and tactile. The Lab will utilize exercises to help cultivate imagination, innovation, and creativity. Each class will focus on a different part of the creativity process all while building a tool kit for dealing with obstacles in our way, creating positive habits for growth, and investigating the ways our personal narratives intersect with our work.
Registration Includes:
A guidebook with supplementary readings, exercises, and activities
A custom Story Parlor notebook
Access to Creativity Mixers
Who Should Attend:
Anyone looking to kickstart or follow-through with a creative project
Anyone wanting to discover more about their habits and approach to creativity
Anyone hoping to learn more about the process of being creative
Anyone wishing to make creativity a part of their daily life
Anyone looking to explore the intersection of art and the human condition
Anyone interested in identifying their core values’ intersection with creative goals and aspirations
Anyone wanting a creative community in which to play, explore, and experiment
BOOKS: Prepare a five-minute story about the written word. The novels that changed your life or the ones you only pretended to read. An open book, or one judged by cover alone. Book stores, clubs, and libraries. Dog-eared pages with notes in the margins, tell us about one for the record books, or just the CliffsNotes. If you go home with someone and they don’t have any…

Malaprop’s is pleased to be part of this special informational session for writers.
How do stores select which books they’ll carry? How do events work? What about consignment sales? Join Gold Leaf Literary and friends from Malaprop’s, Bookmarks, and M. Judson for a discussion about what makes booksellers happy and cringey when it comes to taking on local author’s books and doing events. We’ll share tips and best practices for setting up bookstore events and helping your books find their way on (and off!) the shelves, plus what to do (and not do) at your event.
The cost for this session is $10 and we’ll be donating half of all proceeds to UNICEF to help children in Ukraine, Syria, and elsewhere whose lives are endangered and disrupted by war.
Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm at Story Parlor
April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18*
*Final class on May 18 runs from 6:30-9:30pm
Make up class reserved for May 25
Story Parlor presents Creativity Lab: a six-week exploration of the creative process, common blocks and obstacles, and ways to kickstart and sustain creative momentum.
Focused on the process and the act of doing, opposed to product or outcome, Creativity Lab explores ways to overcome fear, embrace curiosity, and channel our muse in all creative endeavors.
The six-week workshop is experiential, hands-on, and tactile. The Lab will utilize exercises to help cultivate imagination, innovation, and creativity. Each class will focus on a different part of the creativity process all while building a tool kit for dealing with obstacles in our way, creating positive habits for growth, and investigating the ways our personal narratives intersect with our work.
Registration Includes:
A guidebook with supplementary readings, exercises, and activities
A custom Story Parlor notebook
Access to Creativity Mixers
Who Should Attend:
Anyone looking to kickstart or follow-through with a creative project
Anyone wanting to discover more about their habits and approach to creativity
Anyone hoping to learn more about the process of being creative
Anyone wishing to make creativity a part of their daily life
Anyone looking to explore the intersection of art and the human condition
Anyone interested in identifying their core values’ intersection with creative goals and aspirations
Anyone wanting a creative community in which to play, explore, and experiment

Andrea Kulish, artist and activist whose family is from Ukraine, talks about her Ukrainian pysanky eggs and how to help immediately in Ukraine. These small, intimate discussions include a Meet + Greet at 11:30 am; presentation and discussion from noon-1 pm at Artsville Collective at Marquee. 36 Foundy in the RAD.
From Andrea:
“I am a member of the Ukrainian National Womens’ League of America. We are collecting funds for Humanitarian Aid.100% goes to four hospitals in Ukraine to help wounded soldiers and displaced civilians in Ukraine.”
Donate here: https://unwla.org/top-news/call-for-humanitarian-aid/
Citizen Vinyl and Asheville Music School have teamed up for a silent auction fundraiser to benefit Asheville Music School’s Play It Forward capital campaign. Tickets are only $10 to attend and include light bites and two drink tickets. There is also a cash bar serving cocktails, wine, and local beer. Tickets available online here: https://bit.ly/AMSSilentAuction
Up for bidding will be luxury regional experiences, vacation getaways, wine tasting events, fine jewelry, pampering packages, restaurant and wellness gift certificates, concert tickets and more.
This event raises funds for Asheville Music School’s Play It Forward capital campaign, securing their new facility in West Asheville. In addition to necessary upfits to our new space, we will be developing a music production studio (the AMS Sound Lab) in which students will learn to use modern music technology, equipment, and techniques. This new multi-use studio will allow us to offer group lessons, add additional programming with neighboring schools, and will serve as a rehearsal room with professional sound.
Asheville Music School is the largest nonprofit music school of its kind in Western North Carolina, serving over 300 students annually and providing sustainable and rewarding work for dozens of music educators. We offer private music lessons, band and ensemble classes, summer camps, master classes, and workshops for all ages and income levels. As a community school, our mission is to keep music education accessible to all, regardless of economic barriers. We accomplish our goals by offering need-based scholarships, an instrument-lending library, and by operating an outreach program that connects AMS students and teachers with the most vulnerable populations in our community.
Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl (all donated by area potters) and a soup-based meal
(a variety of soups, breads and desserts). Tickets are available at St. John in the Wilderness
Parish House Office, from Backpack team members or at the door on the day of the event. For
more information, call 828-693-9783. Credit cards are accepted; checks should be made out to
SJIW, noting Empty Bowls.
Please join us for this fun community event. Donations are gratefully accepted throughout the
year.
Updated COVID-19 restrictions will be in place.
Flat Rock Backpack Program: Each week during the school year, volunteers gather at Hubba
Hubba Smokehouse on Friday mornings to pack between 100-125 grocery bags of food;
nourishment for area nursery and school age children identified as those in need of weekend
food. Food includes oatmeal, tinned meat, rice, pasta, beans, vegetables and fruit. To do this,
volunteers buy food and supplies (with supplemental food from MANNA FoodBank), organize
packing, pack, and then deliver bags to the schools where the administration slips the bags into
backpacks for discreet delivery home (when there is a home). Annually, the group buys for, and
packs approximately 6,000 backpacks which cost about 22 thousand dollars. Neighbors from
throughout the community donate their time while Saint John in the Wilderness acts as the
‘home’ base providing technical and administrative assistance (including 501c3 status). To
meet our budget, we rely on corporate and individual donations, and our local pottery artists,
pivotal partners, who generously donate their time and talents for this annual fundraiser.
Empty Bowls was started over 25 years ago in Michigan as a high school service project. The
goal is to address hunger needs in local communities. The event concept is a simple one. The
community is invited to a meal of soup, bread and dessert (donated by local businesses and
organizations). As part of the admission fee, the ticket holders choose a
handmade bowl (crafted/donated by local artists) to take home as a thank you gift. The bowl
serves as a reminder that, as long as children in our community go hungry, we will help.
A video of the mission was produced by volunteers to show how the program works. Here’s the
link: https://youtu.be/AYKbzLHI_zM The video is also available by visiting YouTube – St. John
in the Wilderness, Flat Rock NC
Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm at Story Parlor
April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18*
*Final class on May 18 runs from 6:30-9:30pm
Make up class reserved for May 25
Story Parlor presents Creativity Lab: a six-week exploration of the creative process, common blocks and obstacles, and ways to kickstart and sustain creative momentum.
Focused on the process and the act of doing, opposed to product or outcome, Creativity Lab explores ways to overcome fear, embrace curiosity, and channel our muse in all creative endeavors.
The six-week workshop is experiential, hands-on, and tactile. The Lab will utilize exercises to help cultivate imagination, innovation, and creativity. Each class will focus on a different part of the creativity process all while building a tool kit for dealing with obstacles in our way, creating positive habits for growth, and investigating the ways our personal narratives intersect with our work.
Registration Includes:
A guidebook with supplementary readings, exercises, and activities
A custom Story Parlor notebook
Access to Creativity Mixers
Who Should Attend:
Anyone looking to kickstart or follow-through with a creative project
Anyone wanting to discover more about their habits and approach to creativity
Anyone hoping to learn more about the process of being creative
Anyone wishing to make creativity a part of their daily life
Anyone looking to explore the intersection of art and the human condition
Anyone interested in identifying their core values’ intersection with creative goals and aspirations
Anyone wanting a creative community in which to play, explore, and experiment
Grab your golf clubs and the best players you can find for The Grey Eagle Classic Golf Tournament. This tournament welcomes local businesses, community partners, and supporters of the music and arts for a day full of golf, games, food, drinks, and lots of fun! Your participation and proceeds will directly support Asheville Music School.
Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm at Story Parlor
April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18*
*Final class on May 18 runs from 6:30-9:30pm
Make up class reserved for May 25
Story Parlor presents Creativity Lab: a six-week exploration of the creative process, common blocks and obstacles, and ways to kickstart and sustain creative momentum.
Focused on the process and the act of doing, opposed to product or outcome, Creativity Lab explores ways to overcome fear, embrace curiosity, and channel our muse in all creative endeavors.
The six-week workshop is experiential, hands-on, and tactile. The Lab will utilize exercises to help cultivate imagination, innovation, and creativity. Each class will focus on a different part of the creativity process all while building a tool kit for dealing with obstacles in our way, creating positive habits for growth, and investigating the ways our personal narratives intersect with our work.
Registration Includes:
A guidebook with supplementary readings, exercises, and activities
A custom Story Parlor notebook
Access to Creativity Mixers
Who Should Attend:
Anyone looking to kickstart or follow-through with a creative project
Anyone wanting to discover more about their habits and approach to creativity
Anyone hoping to learn more about the process of being creative
Anyone wishing to make creativity a part of their daily life
Anyone looking to explore the intersection of art and the human condition
Anyone interested in identifying their core values’ intersection with creative goals and aspirations
Anyone wanting a creative community in which to play, explore, and experiment

We are hopeful that by May, we will be able to host what we believe will be our largest event yet – and it will coincide with the release of the full-length movie Where the Crawdads Sing in June!
If you have already purchased tickets, we ask you to please mark your calendar for Thursday, May 5, 2022. If you can attend the new date, you may do so with your current tickets and requested seating arrangements. Nothing will need to be done on your part.
If you cannot attend the new date, you may contact LuAnn Arena, 828-254-3442 ext. 206 or email [email protected] with your preferences to either:
Donate the cost of the ticket, which will be a fully tax-deductible gift
– OR –
Request a refund which will be processed promptly and credited to your account within 10-14 business days.
– New York Times bestselling author Delia Owens will keynote Literacy
Together’s 13th Annual Authors for Literacy Dinner & Auction on October 28, 2021.
Delia Owens lived in some of the most remote areas of Africa for twenty-three years while she conductedscientific research on lions, elephants, and others. Based on these expeditions and adventures, sheco-authored three internationally bestselling nonfiction books about her life as a wildlife scientist.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in
Animal Behavior from the University of California in Davis. She has won the John Burroughs Award for Nature Writing and has been published in Nature, Journal of Mammalogy, The African Journal ofEcology, and International Wildlife, among many others.
Where the Crawdads Sing is her first novel, with more than 11 million copies sold worldwide and over 2½ years on the New York Times Bestseller List, it is soon to be a major motion picture.
The Authors for Literacy Dinner & Auction featuring Delia Owens will begin with a cocktail hour
followed by a three-course dinner and presentation by a current Literacy Together student. Delia Owens will then give the keynote presentation and autograph guests’ books. Malaprop’s Bookstore & Café will
manage book sales.
Event guests may upgrade tickets to attend a VIP reception just before the event with Delia Owens. This reception will include the opportunity to spend one-on-one time taking pictures and talking with the author and enjoy hors d’oeuvres. There are a limited number of VIP tickets available.
Proceeds from the Authors for Literacy Dinner benefit Literacy Together’s programs, which provide
comprehensive literacy and English language skills to 300 students and over 4,300 book recipients in Buncombe County annually. Literacy Together transforms lives and communities through the power of literacy. Literacy and English language skills are tools that help people rise out of poverty, get better-paying jobs to support their families, and read to their children. Improved literacy skills benefit the struggling reader and everyone in our community regardless of age, race, gender, or background.
