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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.

May 2020 May 2020
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Saturday, May 30, 2020
Coronavirus in North Carolina: Daily status updates
May 30 all-day
online

Daily updates on coronavirus in NC

Coronavirus in North Carolina: Daily status updates

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Categories: Community
Count on Me NC Provides Free Online Training to Protect Customers and Employees
May 30 all-day
online
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, NC State Extension, NC Restaurant & Lodging Association, and VisitNC.com have partnered to develop free training resources to help restaurants, hotels, and other businesses learn the best ways to protect customers and employees from COVID-19.
So far, over 3,500 businesses have completed Count on Me NC training. Participating businesses will receive printable certificates to display in their establishments to show they completed the training.
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Categories: Community
free Virtual counseling + healing sessions for Western North Carolina medical personnel
May 30 all-day
Online

Care for Corona is a grassroots support system comprised of psychotherapists and healing practitioners who offer short term free virtual counseling and healing sessions for Western North Carolina medical personnel and psychotherapists who are on the front lines of the Corona Virus Pandemic.

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Categories: Community Health & Wellness
Grant Opportunities for the Crafts
May 30 all-day
online
The Craft Futures Fund will fund up to $30,000 each month from May 2020 – October 2020 to support craft-based education projects. These one-time, unrestricted grants of $5,000 will be disbursed to craft-based education projects that envision and build new futures for craft.

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Categories: Art & Craft Community Grants
Have You Taken Our Reopening Survey Yet? Asheville Art Museum
May 30 all-day
online
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Categories: Art & Craft Community
It’s Mind Your Plastic May! Go Plastic Free
May 30 all-day
GreenWorks Online

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It’s May 1st, and you know what that means! That’s right, a whole month of mindfulness aimed at reducing plastic usage in our lives. For years, Asheville GreenWorks has worked at #goingplasticfree, and this year will be no different. Starting Monday, May 4th, we’ll be releasing daily blog posts from our staff, members of the Plastic Reduction Task Force, and other zero waste advocates in Buncombe County. There will be repurposing and upcycling challenges, a special screening of The Story of Plastic, and a Trivia Night testing your knowledge of the topics we cover throughout the month.

Daily posts can be found on our website, as well as on our Going Plastic Free Facebook Page. And, in case you miss a post, we will send out a weekly digest to keep you up to date on the week’s happenings. And we’re including a calendar in today’s newsletter to give you a sneak preview of the month’s events.

Now, more than ever, we are challenged to find the fine balance between safety, cleanliness, and waste reduction. Thank you for your commitment to Asheville GreenWorks; we can’t wait to share another amazing Mind Your Plastic May with you.
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Categories: Community
Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses
May 30 all-day
Small Business Association Online
Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. This program is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorship, independent contractors and self-employed persons), private non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by COVID-19.
SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.
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Categories: Community
Reopening Guidance for Businesses in the Age of COVID-19
May 30 all-day
online
As more businesses move to reopen in the new normal of COVID-19, the Chamber has complied guidelines from several sources outlining the steps businesses should take to reopen safely and within the recommendations of the State Health Department and the CDC. While the guide is extensive, it is not exhaustive. For full details and recommendations, or for information specific to your business, please refer to official communication channels and the advisement of your legal representative.
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Categories: Community
Reopening the Arts in North Carolina Guideline
May 30 all-day
online

Last Monday, Arts NC and the North Carolina Arts Council shared a new reopening guide for the arts in NC. The purpose of this document is to provide recommendations for arts organizations as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and develop plans for reopening to the public. A webinar (recording above) was also held on Wednesday to go over the document and address questions.

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Categories: Art & Craft Community
Share Your Feedback on Possible Uses of Public Space: The City of Asheville
May 30 all-day
The City of Asheville

 

Share Your Feedback on Possible Uses of Public Space

The City of Asheville has been working on ways to alter public space usage to assist businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today they announced designated curbside pickup locations throughout downtown and along Haywood Road in West Asheville, as well as expanded uses of private space.

 

Initiatives being considered include expanded use of public space (sidewalks, on-street parking) and the creation of temporary shared spaces.

 

It’s vital that the City hear your feedback as downtown businesses on how these options may benefit or impact your operations. View more information here and share your thoughts by emailing [email protected].

 
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Categories: Community
South Arts Sustainability Grants Arts Organizations
May 30 all-day
online

In response to COVID-19, grants between $5,000 and $20,000 are available to statewide or regional arts and cultural service organizations.

Important Dates & Deadlines

  • Applications must be submitted on or before June 10, 2020.
  • Applicants will be notified by email within three weeks of the deadline.
  • Funded expenses must occur between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021.
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Categories: Art & Craft Community
Take a Virtual Hike for the Smokies!
May 30 all-day
Virtual Smoky Mountains National Park
Alum Cave At-Home Adventure is a Virtual Fundraising Hike on one of Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s most iconic trails. Although the trail will look different for everyone, we’re all going the distance together – 4.6 miles for a roundtrip hike to Alum Cave or 10 miles up to the top of Mount Le Conte and down via Alum Cave Trail. Find your own trail. It could be your yard, your neighborhood or a treadmill in your basement. If a hike isn’t your thing, just choose the Park Bench option! Anyone can join us in solidarity to raise funds for Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the comfort and safety of your own home.
Here’s how it works:
1. Register to virtually hike at AlumCaveAtHome.org, and personalize your fundraising page.
2. Ask your family, friends, and coworkers to support you by making a tax-deductible donation to Friends of the Smokies through your personal fundraising page.
3. You have until June 6, 2020 to fundraise and complete your virtual hike, then you will receive your hike swag, including a t-shirt and finishers medal, in the mail!
Over the last few weeks, we’ve become pros at staying home and practicing social distancing. As we take care of ourselves and each other, we hope you’ll also help us take care of the Smokies. The park is closed for the safety of visitors and staff, but critical conservation projects still need funding. It’s up to us to preserve the park for generations to come so we hope you’ll join us.
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Categories: Community Fundraisers Outdoors
The Gallery at Flat Rock Offers Porch Portraits
May 30 all-day
varies

Suzanne has generously donated a portion of the session fee to Flat Rock Playhouse and she has a goal of raising $15,000 before the end of the year! She has currently raised $2,015, so help Suzanne reach her goal and capture some memories along the way. Check out some of her portraits above and click the link below to schedule your session today!

Inspired by the national trend of porch portraits, Suzanne of The Gallery at Flat Rock, will be offering portrait sessions and donating a portion of the session cost to Flat Rock Playhouse. 

 A fifteen-minute porch portrait session is $65 (cash or check) of which $15 will be donated to the Flat Rock Playhouse, a friend and neighbor to the gallery which made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 season. 
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Categories: Community Fundraisers
The Literacy Council’s Plan to Move Forward Tutoring Online
May 30 all-day
Online

As this pandemic has given us all a difficult path to predict and navigate, all orientations, tours, and tutor trainings continue to be on hold until we can ensure, to the best of our ability, the safety of everyone we serve.
We will continue to monitor Buncombe County’s progress and outcomes regarding reopening and update our reopening plan based on those outcomes. Our first priority will always be the safety of our students, volunteers, and staff.
Many of our tutors and students have continued their regular classes digitally with great success. Our program directors are also working to revise tutor training courses in order to transition as many components as possible to an online platform.
We will continue to keep you updated regarding reopening and what that looks like. Please reach out to us anytime with questions or concerns by calling our office at 828-254-3442 or by emailing us at [email protected].
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Categories: Community
Updated Covid-19 Buncombe County Testing Sites
May 30 all-day
Buncombe County

COVID-19 testing is available for people who think that they may have COVID-19. The Buncombe Ready COVID-19 Self Checker can help you assess whether or not you need to be tested for COVID-19.

If your primary care provider does not offer COVID-19 testing, they can refer you to an option that works for you. Please go online or call ahead to schedule a visit and to confirm the location of the testing site.

Testing guidance for COVID-19 has expanded to encourage the following individuals to get tested for COVID-19 at one of the locations listed below or at a community testing site.

The new guidance recommends that clinicians test any patient in whom COVID-19 is suspected.

  • Anyone with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19
  • Close contacts of known positive cases, regardless of symptoms
  • Persons who live in or have regular contact with high-risk settings (e.g., long-term care facility, homeless shelter, correctional facility, migrant farmworker camp)
  • Persons who are at high risk of severe illness (e.g., people over 65 years of age, people of any age with underlying health conditions)
  • Persons who come from historically marginalized populations
  • Health care workers or first responders (e.g. EMS, law enforcement, fire department, military)
  • Front-line and essential workers (grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, etc.) in settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain

Paying for COVID-19 Testing:

If you have private insurance, payment should be covered by your insurance company. If you are uninsured, please ask about the CARES Act which may cover the cost of the medical provider assessment and testing for COVID-19. Some providers offer charity care assistance or sliding scale options for payment. Check with your provider about these details.

COVID-19 Testing Providers

MAHEC Family Health Center 

  • Please call the MAHEC Family Health Center for a telemedicine visit before you arrive.
  • MAHEC Family Health Center
  • Call (828) 257-4730
  • Sliding Scale may apply.

Mercy Urgent Care

  • Visit www.mercyurgentcare.org to schedule a telemedicine appointment or a safe visit at one of our eight WNC locations.

Mission My Care Now

  • Mission Health’s Virtual Clinic at www.missionhealth.org/virtualclinic can direct you to COVID-19 testing
  • Most insurance plans will reimburse the costs
  • $25 virtual visit fee
  • Additional lab fee (if tested)

Range Urgent Care

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Categories: Community Health & Wellness
Urge Support for H1068 and Arts Funding During COVID-19
May 30 all-day
online

New NC Arts Funding Bill Needs Support
Joint Caucus on Arts and Arts Education Co-Chairs Rep. Becky Carney and Rep. Jeffrey Elmore are joined by Rep. Michele Presnell and Rep. Susan Fisher as primary sponsors of H1068, the new legislation that would allocate $3 million to arts organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through the NC Arts Council.
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Categories: Art & Craft Community
Voting in the June 23 Second Primary Election: What You Need to Know
May 30 all-day
Buncombe County

The upcoming Second Primary Election is on Tuesday, June 23. Buncombe County Election Services wants to make sure you have all the information you need. Below is information about Early Voting, absentee ballots, finding out if you’re registered, sample ballots, and more. If you have additional questions, contact Election Services at (828) 250-4200.

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Categories: Community
White House Launches Opening America Website
May 30 all-day
website
The White House has unveiled Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, a three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts. Employers are encouraged to adhere to the following at all phases:
  • Develop and implement appropriate policies, in accordance with Federal, State, and local regulations and guidance, and informed by industry best practices, regarding:
  • Social distancing and protective equipment
  • Temperature checks
  • Sanitation
  • Use and disinfection of common and high-traffic areas
  • Business travel
  • Monitor workforce for indicative symptoms. Do not allow symptomatic people to physically return to work until cleared by a medical provider.
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing following employee COVID+ test.
The full guidelines can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica.
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Categories: Community Health & Wellness
YMCA of Western North Carolina Mobile Market Schedule MAY
May 30 all-day
varies

https://ymcawnc.org/sites/default/files/May%202020%20Nutrition%20mobile%20market.pdf

 

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Categories: Community Food & Drink
YMCA Opens indoor + outdoor pools, outdoor group exercise + summer day camp June 1
May 30 all-day
YMCA various locations
While the doors of our wellness centers remain closed, other doors are opening even wider. Beginning June 1:
  • We are excited to welcome you back to pool season. Indoor pools will reopen at the Asheville YMCA, Black Mountain YMCA, Corpening Memorial YMCA, Hendersonville Family YMCA, and the Reuter Family YMCA. We will also open Patton Pool in Hendersonville.
  • We are excited to kick off a series of outdoor group exercise classes while continuing to provide virtual classes you can enjoy at home.
  • Summer day camp will return to give children ages 5-12 fun and adventure.
Please check ymcawnc.org, the YMCA of WNC mobile app, and social media for updates on hours, schedules, and safety measures.
We know that for a while longer, visits to restaurants, stores, and even our Y will feel a bit different. We’ve worked with health experts and our local health department to prepare our facilities for your safe return. We’re grateful for your understanding and for the concern you’ve shared for our staff who are stepping up during this pandemic to feed our community, provide emergency child care, make wellness calls to seniors feeling isolated, help people stay healthy at home, and organize blood and supply drives. We remain grateful to our members and donors for continuing to #StayWithUs as we continue to serve our neighbors when they need us most.
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Categories: Community Sports
Buncombe County Mandates: Wearing of Face Coverings in Certain Public Settings
May 30 @ 7:00 am
Buncombe County

Effective at 7 a.m. May 26, face coverings will be required for all individuals 12 years of age and older in all indoor public commercial facilities, including libraries and public transit. This follows a 4-3 vote along party lines by county commissioners May 21.

The face covering provision does not apply in the following places or situations:

 

  • While eating in any restaurant.
  • For reasons related to any individual’s medical condition, disability or religious beliefs.
  • In private offices.
  • In areas of retail establishments, businesses and restaurants that are not open to the public.
  • When complying with directions of law enforcement officers.
  • During any worship, religious and spiritual gatherings, funeral ceremonies, wedding ceremonies and other activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights.
  • In settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a face covering when obtaining or rendering goods or services.

 

Guidelines for wearing a face covering include:

 

  • It must cover both the mouth and nose.
  • It must be snug.
  • Don’t touch a face covering while wearing it or, if you do, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
  • When removing, do so by lifting ear loops or ties without touching the front of mask or your face and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Wash the face covering with soap and water regularly or in the washing machine with other clothes.
  • Do not put a face covering on anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious or otherwise unable to remove their own mask, or on children under 2 years of age.
  • Do not use them as a substitute for social distancing, hand washing or staying home when sick.

 

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Categories: Community
ASAP Farmers Markets: AB Tech’s Main Campus
May 30 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
AB Tech's Main Campus

ASAP Farmers Market map

Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, beginning March 21.

The market will operate for as long as necessary, possibly expanding to other locations and days of the week as opportunity and demand allows.

Market Rules

  • No customers or vendors exhibiting symptoms may enter the market.
  • Maintain 6 feet of social distance at all times.
  • One customer at a time for each vendor table.
  • Only handle product you are purchasing. Products will be pre-packaged or bunched.
  • Children, if they must attend with adult shoppers, must be closely supervised.

Anyone failing to comply with these conditions will be directed to leave the market.

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Categories: Community Garden
Steeped in Time: Tea and Traditions Exhibit
May 30 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center

Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center celebrated the opening of its newest traveling exhibit, “Steeped in Time: Tea and Traditions” on Saturday, January 18, 2020. The exhibit will run through the July 4th weekend at MGM, located at 24 Water Street in Old Fort. Admission is free.

 

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Categories: Community Family Fun Other
Free Lunches at Ferguson YMCA
May 30 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ferguson Family YMCA

Image may contain: 2 people, people sitting and outdoor, possible text that says 'the MEETING COMMUNITY NEED'

FREE LUNCHES for anyone 18 years of age and under at the Ferguson Family YMCA. Simply drive up to our front door and let us know how many lunches you need, no questions asked.

For additional food for your family, pick up a FREE box of fresh produce at our Mobile Markets. Calendars are online at ymcawnc.org/nutritionprograms.

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Categories: Community Food & Drink
Service Industry Heroes Complimentary Meal w/ Food Connection
May 30 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
The Asheville Masonic Temple · Asheville, North Carolina

Image may contain: possible text that says 'SERVICE INDUSTRY HEROES complimentary meal by WICKED WEED BREWING'

To our friends who’ve lost their jobs including those in the service industry and hospitality workers: Please join Food Connection for a free “to go” meal lovingly prepared by Wicked Weed Brewing’s Cultura thanks to a generous gift from an anonymous donor! We will be setting up in the parking lot against the Asheville Masonic Temple. We will be offering curbside service distributing meals from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm or until they run out.

For the safety of our beautiful community:
* If you come by car, please stay in your car at all times.
*There is 1 Entrance In By AMT and you will drive through and exit at the back of the lot.
• If you come by foot, please keep a social distance of at least 6 feet.
* Wear a mask if you have one
Thanks, y’all! We hope to see you Saturday!

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Categories: Community Food & Drink
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Buncombe County Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund
May 31 all-day
online
Full program details are currently being finalized and will be posted shortly. We expect online applications will be accepted starting Friday, May 15, and will be due by May 31. Awards will be announced in mid-June.
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Categories: Other
Urge Support for H1068 and Arts Funding During COVID-19
May 31 all-day
online

New NC Arts Funding Bill Needs Support
Joint Caucus on Arts and Arts Education Co-Chairs Rep. Becky Carney and Rep. Jeffrey Elmore are joined by Rep. Michele Presnell and Rep. Susan Fisher as primary sponsors of H1068, the new legislation that would allocate $3 million to arts organizations negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through the NC Arts Council.
Read more
Categories: Art & Craft Community
YMCA of Western North Carolina Mobile Market Schedule MAY
May 31 all-day
varies

https://ymcawnc.org/sites/default/files/May%202020%20Nutrition%20mobile%20market.pdf

 

Read more
Categories: Community Food & Drink
Buncombe County Mandates: Wearing of Face Coverings in Certain Public Settings
May 31 @ 7:00 am
Buncombe County

Effective at 7 a.m. May 26, face coverings will be required for all individuals 12 years of age and older in all indoor public commercial facilities, including libraries and public transit. This follows a 4-3 vote along party lines by county commissioners May 21.

The face covering provision does not apply in the following places or situations:

 

  • While eating in any restaurant.
  • For reasons related to any individual’s medical condition, disability or religious beliefs.
  • In private offices.
  • In areas of retail establishments, businesses and restaurants that are not open to the public.
  • When complying with directions of law enforcement officers.
  • During any worship, religious and spiritual gatherings, funeral ceremonies, wedding ceremonies and other activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights.
  • In settings where it is not practical or feasible to wear a face covering when obtaining or rendering goods or services.

 

Guidelines for wearing a face covering include:

 

  • It must cover both the mouth and nose.
  • It must be snug.
  • Don’t touch a face covering while wearing it or, if you do, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
  • When removing, do so by lifting ear loops or ties without touching the front of mask or your face and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Wash the face covering with soap and water regularly or in the washing machine with other clothes.
  • Do not put a face covering on anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious or otherwise unable to remove their own mask, or on children under 2 years of age.
  • Do not use them as a substitute for social distancing, hand washing or staying home when sick.

 

Read more
Categories: Community
All branches Madison County Libraries Reopen June 8.
May 31 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Madison County Libraries
All branches of the Madison County Library are scheduled to reopen June 8. New procedures, including acrylic shields and social distancing markers, will be in place at every circulation desk. Library staff will be wearing masks when not behind the shields and will undergo temperature checks twice-a-day, according to Kim Bellofatto, director of the Madison County Library. While patrons will be encouraged to follow guidelines from the Center for Disease Control regarding the wearing of face masks when in public, they will not be forced to do so.

a store front at day: Named the Best Small Library in America by Library Journal in 2018, the Madison County Public Library is one of just six in North Carolina to offer some services during the first weeks of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Categories: Community Family Fun