Please note: Nature Connects^®: Art with LEGO^® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. We look forward to seeing you!

The Arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects^®: Art with LEGO^® Bricks by Sean Kenney. Featuring 14 larger-than-life-size sculptures place created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly exhibit draws inspiration from the living world and combines art, play and science to create an inspiring intersection of education, entertainment and the environment. New sculptures include a 5-foot tall colorful peacock, giant dragonfly, bonsai tree and more!

The Fairy trail is open Monday thru Saturday, 9am-4pm. We encourage all visitors to be patient as there will be limits to the number of people allowed on the trail at the same time. While the trail is outdoors, there are some small spaces and we want to ensure our guests and fairies are safe. Please practice appropriate social distancing and bring a mask in case. Masks are not required, but are considerate in a close area. Our restrooms are not open to the public at this time. Please make arrangements prior to visiting.

Rules of the trail:

Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.

Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.

Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.

Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.

The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.

The Fairies can’t wait to see you all here!

P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.

After an extensive remodeling project, Tax Collections’ lobby has been expanded and can accommodate in-person services while adhering to social distancing requirements. Per our Stay Safe, Stay Smart order, we ask that you wear a face covering while inside County facilities. If you do not have a face covering, we can provide one. We also ask that if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, you use one of our alternative methods of accessing our services.

Overall, Buncombe County has taken precautions and audited our public-facing facilities to determine the safest way to operate. As a result, here are some of our countywide precautions:

• Installation of plexiglass barriers for public-based work
• Increased sanitation and cleaning of County facilities
• Public accessibility of hand sanitizer and disposable face coverings
• Social distancing markers and signage
• Comprehensive internal procedures for employees to foster a safe workplace, including a daily employee self-screening tool

Tax Collections’ alternative means of services remain available, and we encourage the public to use those methods when possible. To look up property information or your tax amount due, visit buncombecounty.org/tax.

You can make tax payments:

• Online
• By phone: 1-877-690-3729, jurisdiction code 4301 (If payments are made online or by phone with an electronic check, no service fees apply.)
• By mail: PO Box 3140, Asheville, NC 28802
• Dropboxes:
  • Driveway of the Family Justice Center, 35 Woodfin Street, Asheville
  • Next to the Tax Department Office Entrance, 94 Coxe Ave.

If you have additional questions, you can contact Tax Collections via email at [email protected] or call (828) 250-4910.

When a friend gave Toland Sand a stained glass studio in 1977, he embarked upon a journey that would lead him to explore the myriad qualities that define glass as a medium. Sand’s 43 years as a sculptor has resulted in works of stained glass, blown glass, and every combination in between. A pioneer in utilizing the unique properties of dichroic glass, Sand begins his current sculpture with optical crystal and dichroic coated glass, hand worked by grinding in ever finer stages until a polish is achieved. Seeking balance, harmony, and symmetry, with an accent on deconstructed form, his work inhabits the symbolic, the cosmic, and the mystery. Sand is inspired by his peers as well as artists such as Isamu Noguchi, David Smith, Henry Moore, and Mark Rothko.
Sand’s work can be found numerous public and private collections including the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass, Neenah, WI, Hunter Museum of American Art, Chattanooga, TN, Imagine Museum, Sarasota, FL, and others.

Bender Gallery continues to be open and welcoming visitors into our gallery in limited numbers and with facemasks, of course. We remain dedicated to supporting our artists during these unprecedented times by making ourselves available almost anytime you wish to speak with us to answer questions and sharing their work online and through social media. We and our artists thank you for your support!

In the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, Kwame Brathwaite used photography to popularize the political slogan “Black Is Beautiful.” This exhibition—the first ever dedicated to Brathwaite’s remarkable career—tells the story of a key figure of the second Harlem Renaissance.

Inspired by the writings of activist and Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, Brathwaite and his older brother, Elombe Brath, founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) and the Grandassa Models, a modeling agency for Black women.

This exhibition returns us to the Naturally fashion shows of the 1960s walked by Grandassa models and produced by the African American artists, designers, musicians, hairdressers, writers, and jazz lovers of AJASS.

Images have power, and this is an important example of a creative collective formed in order to radically shift the dominant narrative at midcentury.

Exhibition organized by Aperture, New York and Kwame S. Brathwaite.

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!

Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.

Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase.

GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made.

Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant serving GSMR’s freshly cooked pulled pork barbeque rubbed with Cajun spices then slow-roasted to perfection served with southern sweet cornbread muffin with honey butter, coleslaw, and cinnamon apples then finish with a delicious piece of Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake. Riders will also receive their very own Carolina Shine mason drinking jar, refillable with soda beverages and tea throughout the day, and a souvenir GSMR tote bag (1 per couple/party).

The Bob Moog Foundation is also excited to welcome shoppers back into the Moogseum Store in downtown Asheville, NC. While the exhibit space will remain closed until North Carolina enters phase 3, the store offers a wide variety of synth-inspired merchandise from magnets, t-shirts and pint glasses, to books, hats and vinyl records. The Moogseum Store will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

To ensure the safety of guests, extensive cleaning measures and CDC guidelines will be followed by staff, and both staff and visitors will be required to wear cloth or disposable face coverings.

Volunteers needed for the 2020 hurricane season!

Microsoft Teams Session
RSVP required by 8/28. tinyurl.com/VirtualVolunteerFairRSVP

Join us to learn how to help your neighbors and community in times of need!
Due to predictions for an active hurricane and wildfire season and the complexities of COVID-19, the Red
Cross will need thousands of volunteers to care for people when disasters strike. Learn how you can be a
Ready Red Cross Shelter or Health Services Volunteer so you can answer the call when your community
needs it most.

We are open with new rules and safety measures!

Let’s have fun and stay safe!

Join me in the studio as we use hammers, saws, files and fire to transform silver wire into a beautiful pair of silver drop earrings. Class price includes all materials.

These “Netflix Party” are events Hosted by the “Your Belfast Social Meetup – a Northern Ireland group. They start their movies at 7:00 BST (2:00 Hendo time) each Friday. You can chat via scrolling screen on the right before and during the show. It’s pretty cool talking to people “across the pond” to see how they are handling the pandemic. The Event Host posts a selection of movies for those who RSVP to vote on the day before. Then an hour before showtime the Netflix Party link is posted to the event page.

For those of you who don’t know, Netflix Party is a way we can chat whilst watching in sync together. Anyone with the Chrome Extension ‘Netflix Party’ on their Desktop can join the movie and the chatroom IF they have a Netlix account.

DUE TO COVID, ALL GUESTS AT RABBIT RABBIT MUST HAVE A RESERVATION TO ENTER.

Once upon a time, two scrappy and creative local businesses who loved to think outside the box came together to bring something new to the Downtown they both loved.  The result:  Rabbit Rabbit AVL.  Why the name? “Rabbit Rabbit” is a long-standing superstition that has been around for generations, something you say to bring yourself good luck.  The story goes that if the very first words you utter on the first day of each new month are “Rabbit Rabbit!”, you’ll have good luck all month long.

Orange Peel Events and Asheville Brewing Company consider our partnership on this new project, on a needle-in-the-hay piece of property right in the middle of our beloved downtown, the ultimate stroke of good luck.  For us, for our customers and fans, and for Asheville.

Sure, rabbits are “little guys”, but they are also quick, responsive, productive, and willing to take big leaps.  That’s how we see our two little companies within the greater downtown landscape.  This amazing new event space represents the coming together of both of us: not just one lucky Rabbit, but two.

Rabbit Rabbit. It’s where the magic happens. Make your own luck with us.

This is a 45 minute class that’s great for beginners and those wanting to deepen their current Tai Chi Practice. This is an online class and is open to all adults. In this class, you don’t have to memorize anything or learn complex routines. Its all about getting into the flow!

Classes will now be streamed via the “Begin with Breath Connect” Website. Monthly and Annual Memberships are available. Sign up here:

https://app.namastream.com/#/begin-with-breath-connect/auth/signup

We are so excited to announce that we are reopening for dine-in, take-out, and delivery on August 26th. From our contactless payments, to online ordering to digital waitlists, and countless other new safety measures, we’ve been busy making lots of changes to help keep our staff, guests and community safe. One thing we haven’t changed is our commitment to provide you with the best quality food, drinks, and service in town. We will be open Wednesday through Sunday nights for dinner, and while we encourage reservations, walk-in tables are also available utilizing our mobile waitlist. Additionally we offer pick-up or delivery with online ordering available on our website. We would also like to announce a change in our management. After decades of fantastic work in the service industry, Sam Douglas, is leaving to be able to spend more time with his family and explore opportunities in real estate. While we are sad to see him go, we’re excited to announce that our Executive Chef, Chris Benson, will be adding the role of General Manager. He’ll bring along some familiar faces to help him, Savanna Millet as Front of House Manager and Christopher Ducker as Sous Chef. Using their combined 50 years of industry experience, they’ll work together to make sure Bone & Broth continues to be your favorite spot in town. We’ve all missed you so much and look forward to getting to serve you once again.

Join us at The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall every Friday at 5:30PM for our FREE Acoustic Grateful Dead series Featuring members of Phuncle Sam and great drink and food specials.

Hailing from opposite ends of the Appalachian mountains, Zoe & Cloyd is renowned fiddler and vocalist Natalya Zoe Weinstein and award-winning bluegrass songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist John Cloyd Miller. With soaring harmonies and heartfelt songs, the pair seamlessly combine original bluegrass, klezmer, old-time and folk with sincerity and zeal. Zoe & Cloyd will be joined by master musicians, Kevin Kehrberg on bass and Bennett Sullivan on banjo.

Come enjoy an evening of live music, food and drinks at the Isis patio and lawn. Reservations are highly recommended.

This band started on a perfect 70 degree day, sitting out at New Belgium watching the Connells play. Elzy Lindsey (Drums) and Derek Allen (Lead Guitar) were both in that blissed out crowd, surrounded by the sound, gazing around at the smiles and heads-bopping, singing every word. We knew that many bands like this never got their full due, and, frankly, most people may have never heard their stuff. We decided right then and there to change that. We created YouTube playlists and sent them back and forth and set about finding kindred spirits. Derek and Charlie McCanless (Bass) had an on-going Father-Son gag, being decades apart in age, and had been jamming together on guitars, Elzy started searching for others to round out the sound. The core of the band held a few auditions and, after a very short time, had Jeff Santiago (Lead Vocals/Guitar) and Bill Kopp (Keys/Backing Vocals) joining the band.

Fast-forward a few months… the band has crafted a set of the greatest hits of the underground college rock scene of the late 80s/early 90s. Featured heavily are the Connells, Dillon Fence, the dBs, Letś Active, Neutral Milk Hotel, REM, Drivin’and Cryin’, Guadalcanal Diary, as well as college radio darlings of the era, like the Smithereens and Hoodoo Gurus.

Debuting at the Grey Eagle, they showcased their diverse, yet accessible catalog. Look for Father Son Picnic around town this summer.

Father Son Picnic is:

Jeff Santiago – Lead Vocals/Guitar

Derek Allen – Lead Guitar

Charlie McCanless – Bass

Bill Kopp – Keys/Backing Vocals

Elzy Lindsey- Drums

The event is free but an RSVP is required. Please click here to RSVP for this event! If you elect to attend, we will email you prior to the event with the link required to attend.

We’re excited to host this conversation with Ilona Andrews and Jeaniene Frost, moderated by Megan Corbett of Frolic Media!

“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)

Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats.

They have co-authored several bestselling series, including the #1 NYT bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and Innkeeper Chronicles, which they post as a free weekly serial. For complete list of their books, fun extras, and Innkeeper installments, please visit their website at Ilona-andrews.com.

Emeral Blaze Order below to receive a signed bookplate!

Ilona Andrews, #1 New York Times bestselling author, continues her spellbinding series set in the Hidden Legacy world where magic controls everything…except the hearts of those who wield it.

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Playwright Neil Simon got his first big break in the early 50’s as a staff writer on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows, and this comedy takes a fictionalized look into writer’s room antics.

The Arboretum’s popular ArborEvenings summer after hours series will return this season with a special LEGO twist. Held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July through September, from 8 to 11 …

Celebrating their 35th Anniversary together, Atlanta-based folk rock act, Drivin N Cryin, have spent most of their career on tour. In October 1985 Drivin N Cryin played their first show at Atlanta’s famed 688 Club. The band quickly gained attention for their blistering live shows, and amassed a rabid fanbase in the fertile soil of the late-1980s Southeast music scene.

Now, 35 years later, and after releasing four full length albums on Island Records and one on Geffen Records, founding members Kevn Kinney and Tim Nielsen find themselves enjoying a milestone anniversary for the band, having survived the pressures of fame, a shifting musical landscape, multiple lineup changes, and miles of back roads and highways to arrive here.

Ages 18+

The Mountain Goats began life in a Norwalk employee-housing studio apartment that had awesome deco tiling on the bathroom floor but little more to recommend the place as a living space. Still, you take what you can get, and it was ridiculously cheap. In this room, equipped with a dual-cassette recorder, John D. started setting some of his poetry to music, using a guitar he’d gotten for a few bucks at a nearby strip mall music store. His idea at the time was that eventually his day job would be “poet.” Young men have all kinds of crazy ideas about what they’re going to end up doing for a living.