Hundreds of brave (and crazy) people take the 10th annual New Year’s Polar Plunge at Lake Lure and freeze for a reason – to support local charities. Many more come to watch the fun, complete with bonfires to keep warm! The chilly dip takes place on New Year’s Day at 12 Noon. Registration is 9 until 11:30 AM. It’s a very festive time with fantastic costumes and a live DJ. All photos on this page were taken on January 1, 2016.

Events will all be outdoors at on the beach (2724 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure) and include new competitions. The Dash & Splash Fun Run begins at 10:30 AM ($10 registration fee includes a beanie cap). The Tug-a-Plunge at 11 AM includes teams of five firefighters and police officers.

Film Series: Prisoner of 2nd Avenue

Tuesday, January 2, 2018. 7pm

Veh Stage

The 2017-2018 Film Series features Leading Ladies-remarkable female characters & award-winning actresses.

ESOL tutors are invited to attend the ESOL Reunion, where participants will have an opportunity to share their experiences tutoring over the last few months, learn new activities to incorporate into sessions, and find out about other resources available.

Brewery 85 is celebrating the purchase and installation of several new tanks in their cellar with a concert series. The family-friendly music series will focus on small, intimate performances from local musicians as well as education of the craft brewing process. Music starts every Thursday night around 6pm and lasts until 8pm from November 30th until January 25th. Food trucks will begin serving around 530pm. During an intermission, an educational tour will be given by Brewery 85’s brewmaster – Will McCameron.

Just a reminder: This is a regular Pop-Up Biergarten Thursday night so please bring your Brewery 85 logo stein or buy one for discounted fills on beers at this and future Pop-Up Biergarten events. Still need a stein still? Purchase one for $15 at our facilities. These make GREAT lifetime gifts for folks who love our brewery!

Given the cold nature of the weather around the brewing facilities at this time of year the concerts will be held indoors in the taproom.

The dates and performers are as follows:

November 30th – Adam Kiralay
December 7th – Sims Tillirson
December 14th – Andy Ferrell
December 21st – Chicken Coop Willaye
December 28th – Blackwater Social
January 4th – John The Revelator
January 11th – Redleg Husky
January 18th – Angela Easterling
January 25th – Jack Greer

These concerts will be located at the Brewery 85 production facilities located at 6 Whitlee Court in Greenville, South Carolina.

For more information please check our facebook page – Facebook.com/Brewery85

You can also give us a shout on the phone at (864) 558-0104.

Revealing musical and songwriting influences ranging from Randy Newman and JJ Cale to Beck, T Rex, and Tinariwen, Reed steps out from behind the gruff fuzz into a multi-faceted sound built on finely crafted songs and ear- & rear-moving grooves.

Featuring an all-star group of musicians including drummer/bassist Paul Taylor, saxophonist Art Edmaiston, Andrew Trube and Anthony Farrell (Greyhounds), and Adriano Viterbini, Speaking in Shadows is built on a foundation of Memphis groove and fat-back rhythm. Fresh textures abound, from the carnival of sounds on tongue-in-cheek “Drawn and Quartered” to the heartbreaking vocals of Heather Moulder on the spare, haunting lead track “Pass Me Over.” As a songwriter, Turchi confidently mines the classic blues/rock vein in “Offamymind” (“Well I can barely walk, so I guess I oughta/ Get behind this wheel and drive”), effortlessly shifts gears to the satirical “Everybody’s Waiting (for the end to come),” and turns introspective in “Looking Up Past Midnight.”

Reuniting with engineer Adam Hill (Big Star, Dirty Streets, White Stripes), Reed strikes out for new territory with co-production by Billy Bennett (MGMT, Drive-By Truckers, Los Colognes). The album was mastered by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Natural Child, The Whigs) at Bombshelter Studios in East Nashville, with artwork and design from Charles Ritchie.

Comedian Ari Shaffir to Perform at The Grey Eagle Friday, January 5^th @ 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM

Ari Shaffir, host and co-creator of Comedy Central’s This is Not Happening is set to perform two shows in Asheville, NC on Friday, January 5^th.

Ari Shaffir
Stand-up comedian, podcaster and actor ARI SHAFFIR describes his comedy as a puppet show–but way filthier and without the puppets. The New York native grew up Orthodox Jewish, spent 2 years in a yeshiva in Israel, and came back to America to lose his religion and become a comic. LA Weekly has called Shaffir “a gifted unyielding comic…a real force to be reckoned with.”

This July, Shaffir released two Netflix specials called Double Negative which is presented in two 45 minute episodes called Children and Adulthood. Self-described as his version of a “Smashing Pumpkins Double Album,” this type of double header release hasn’t been seen since George Carlin’s 1972 release of FM & AM. In Children Shaffir discusses the pressure he is getting from his family and friends to have kids, and why he is getting more and more thoughts in his head about why he doesn’t want to do that and in Adulthood, he discusses the freedoms of being child-free. Decider.com called Shaffir’s Netflix debut “positively audacious.”

ON AND OFF THE BEATEN PATH

2 SHOWS : 4pm & 8PM

Sharp is prominently featured playing little known rags, stomps, and Hawaiian melodies – written for and played exclusively on the steel guitar!

Redleg Husky is a country, bluegrass, and blues duo from Asheville, North Carolina. Since its inception in 2012, the band has been performing its unique blend of American music in barrooms, theaters, and festivals throughout the Southeast and beyond. The group has released three recordings of original music in that time, a self-titled EP in 2013, its full-length debut, Carolina, in 2014, and a second LP, My Old Heart, in 2016.

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

Learn more about becoming a volunteer tutor and sign up for orientation by clicking here.

Great Courses Lecture Series

Tuesday, January 9, 2018. 10:30AM

Mahler Room

Explore the world’s top Piano Solos with the Great Courses lectures and discussion led by Dr. Elizabeth Child.

ESOL Tutor Training is offered to prospective volunteers who have attended a volunteer  orientation session and registered with the ESOL Program Director to attend training. 

Brewery 85 is celebrating the purchase and installation of several new tanks in their cellar with a concert series. The family-friendly music series will focus on small, intimate performances from local musicians as well as education of the craft brewing process. Music starts every Thursday night around 6pm and lasts until 8pm from November 30th until January 25th. Food trucks will begin serving around 530pm. During an intermission, an educational tour will be given by Brewery 85’s brewmaster – Will McCameron.

Just a reminder: This is a regular Pop-Up Biergarten Thursday night so please bring your Brewery 85 logo stein or buy one for discounted fills on beers at this and future Pop-Up Biergarten events. Still need a stein still? Purchase one for $15 at our facilities. These make GREAT lifetime gifts for folks who love our brewery!

Given the cold nature of the weather around the brewing facilities at this time of year the concerts will be held indoors in the taproom.

The dates and performers are as follows:

November 30th – Adam Kiralay
December 7th – Sims Tillirson
December 14th – Andy Ferrell
December 21st – Chicken Coop Willaye
December 28th – Blackwater Social
January 4th – John The Revelator
January 11th – Redleg Husky
January 18th – Angela Easterling
January 25th – Jack Greer

These concerts will be located at the Brewery 85 production facilities located at 6 Whitlee Court in Greenville, South Carolina.

For more information please check our facebook page – Facebook.com/Brewery85

You can also give us a shout on the phone at (864) 558-0104.

A Turnpike Sunset

Written and produced by Tom Godleski

January 11-21, 2018

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm

A group of 19th century drovers traveling the Buncombe Turnpike have gathered around a campfire to tell stories, play instruments, sing and, of course, drink moonshine. A Turnpike Sunset is historical fiction, with stories from the era of the Turnpike, as well as stories from Tom’s family. This show is filled with funny anecdotes, history, and live music performed by members of the Asheville bluegrass group Buncombe Turnpike. Authentically Appalachian!

Seeking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha is considered the gateway to Buddhist practice. Through engaging with these “Three Refuges,” we are provided with the context, methods, and support for the transformation of suffering. Dr. Hun Lye will share his reflections on Buddhist notions of faith, the value of dynamic engagement with doubt, and the non-dogmatic trust and clarity that can arise from holding both. This is a good opportunity for those curious about Buddhist practice, as well as a good way to start the new year for “old timers.”
This program has a suggested donation of $10 per class, though all are encouraged to participate regardless of ability to make this donation.

Seeking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha is considered the gateway to Buddhist practice. Through engaging with these “Three Refuges,” we are provided with the context, methods, and support for the transformation of suffering. In this series of three classes, Dr. Hun Lye will share with us his reflections on Buddhist notions of faith, the value of dynamic engagement with doubt, and the non-dogmatic trust and clarity that can arise from holding both. This is a good opportunity for those curious about Buddhist practice, as well as a good way to start the new year for “old timers.”
This program has a suggested donation of $10 per class, though all are encouraged to participate regardless of ability to make this donation.

Would you like to learn more about how literacy changes our students’ lives?

Please join us for coffee and a one-hour tour of the Literacy Council.

All tours take place on a Friday from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
31 College Place, Suite B221
Asheville, NC

Space is limited. Please RSVP here. 

The Vanishing Wheelchair’s

Sixth Season of Magic!

            The Vanishing Wheelchair Little Theatre is the permanent home of the 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity for people with disabilities, The Vanishing Wheelchair, Inc. The Little Theatre at 175 Weaverville Highway, Suite K, in Asheville is the venue for several magic and variety shows for the public and is available for private functions and parties. The monthly magic and variety show, “Magic, Mirth & Meaning,” is a family-friendly, hour-long production that features story tellers, singers, jugglers, and magicians. The show continues the second and fourth Friday of each month at 7 p.m. with performances on January 12, January 26, February 9, February 23, March 9, March 23, and continuing through the year. Donations of $10 for adults and $5 for children are recommended.

            The show “Magic, Mirth & Meaning” features numerous talents of people with disabilities and those who wish to help them. At any given show, an audience may see singing, story telling, and of course magic. The show appeared and disappeared for several years since the non-profit’s founding on November 24, 2010. On February 20, 2013 the show began appearing in Asheville on a monthly basis, finding its stride at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.

            The Vanishing Wheelchair has used the proceeds from the events it hosts to launch “All Things Possible” to teach skills in performing, painting, photography, music, crafts, writing, and wood working to people with disabilities. These workshops are available to other non-profits to share with their clientele and will be conducted at the 175 Weaverville Highway location. Eventually the non-profit wishes to expand to establish a universally accessible hands-on museum for children to explore the arts and sciences at which people with disabilities can work and continue to learn these skills.

            Come support and see what The Vanishing Wheelchair is all about. Tickets may be available at the door, but advanced reservations are strongly encouraged since seating is limited. Purchase tickets online at www.VanishingWheelchair.org, or contact Magic Central, 175 Weaverville Highway, Suite L, Asheville, North Carolina 28804, or call 828-645-2941.

For more information contact T.J. Shimeld at [email protected], 1129 Allman Ridge Road, Morganton, North Carolina 28655. Call 828-443-8414.

A Turnpike Sunset

Written and produced by Tom Godleski

January 11-21, 2018

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm

A group of 19th century drovers traveling the Buncombe Turnpike have gathered around a campfire to tell stories, play instruments, sing and, of course, drink moonshine. A Turnpike Sunset is historical fiction, with stories from the era of the Turnpike, as well as stories from Tom’s family. This show is filled with funny anecdotes, history, and live music performed by members of the Asheville bluegrass group Buncombe Turnpike. Authentically Appalachian!

On Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 8 AM, citizens of Asheville and Buncombe County will celebrate our community’s 37th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Resort on Resort Drive in West Asheville. We thank you for the invaluable support you and others in our community have given to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association in past years, and we cordially invite you to join us once again as we celebrate our nation’s progress and forcefully face the obstacles to Dr. King’s dream that still confront us. This year we are excited to announce that our keynote speaker will be Asheville’s own Oralene Anderson Graves Simmons, who founded the Asheville Prayer Breakfast in 1982.

We invite you to support our ongoing efforts to achieve Dr. King’s ideals by advertising in our 2018 Souvenir Journal, which will be distributed to more than 1,000 citizens gathered at the Crowne Plaza Resort on January 13.

Tickets for the breakfast may be purchased for $25 each. Patron tickets are available for $35, with patron names included in the program journal. Tickets may be purchased online by clicking the button below.