We hope you’ll enjoy this lighthearted group exhibit that highlights objects and materials that are iconic to childhood and playtime—we feel this fun and nostalgic look back to simpler times is especially needed after a pandemic year. Delight in the works of artists Don Greeson, Jean Greeson, Janet Orselli and Janet Hickey.

Free and open to the public.

Donating blood saves lives. Sign up for the American Red Cross Blood Donation Drive at Asheville Outlets from on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Suite 348 across from RH Outlet. Donors are asked to register in advance by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/give and entering the sponsor code AshevilleOutlets. All Blood Donations are tested for COVID-19 Antibody. Blood donation organizers will practice social distancing procedures and advanced safety protocols. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the coronavirus (COVID-19) does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives, and that it is safe to donate blood. For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.

Donating blood saves lives. Sign up for the American Red Cross Blood Donation Drive at Asheville Outlets from on Friday, June 18, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Suite 348 across from RH Outlet. Donors are asked to register in advance by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/give and entering the sponsor code AshevilleOutlets. All Blood Donations are tested for COVID-19 Antibody. Blood donation organizers will practice social distancing procedures and advanced safety protocols. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the coronavirus (COVID-19) does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives, and that it is safe to donate blood. For more information, visit ShopAshevilleOutlets.com.

11am–6pm. Late-night Thursdays until 9pm; closed Tuesdays.

Public Domain: Photography and the Preservation of Public Lands presents works drawn from the Asheville Art Museum’s Collection by artists looking both regionally and nationally at lands that are either state or federally managed or have become so. This exhibition will be on view in the Asheville Art Museum’s Van Winkle Law Firm Gallery May 19 through August 30, 2021. 

“The Asheville Art Museum’s growing collection of photography features a variety of artworks that consider humankind’s impact on our environment and world,” said Hilary Schroeder, assistant curator. “The imagery featured in Public Domain reminds us of the critical role that artists play in environmental activism and preservation, affecting change at a range of levels”. 

Through images capturing the beauty, changes, and even devastation to the American landscape, photographers have played a vital role in advocating for the preservation of nature via the establishment and maintenance of state parks, national parks and monuments, and other federally protected lands. From George Masa and Timothy McCoy’s photographs of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to a selection of works from Robert Glenn Ketchum’s Overlooked in America: The Success and Failure of Federal Land Management series, these artworks provoke contemplation of both nature’s beauty and a calling to protect it. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Bureau of Land Management whose mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. 

Photographers include Robert Glenn Ketchum, George Masa, Timothy McCoy, Benjamin Porter, Sally Gall, and more. 

This exhibition is organized by the Asheville Art Museum and curated by Hilary Schroeder, assistant curator. 

Joseph Pearson created this body of work to honor the women in his family–he states, “…women whose love, nurture and support made me who I am. These were women who worked hard at home and in the community.”

This desire was precipitated with the celebration of his last living aunt’s 97th birthday, which led him to consider doing something to honor her and the women of her generation, including his mother and her older sister. Through this body of work Pearson presents a few of the many professional women from the local community as examples for younger women and girls as they strive to reach their goals and potential. “It’s a way of giving back something of the nurture and encouragement I received from the women in my life.”

Learn more in this interview of Joseph by Blue Ridge Public Radio and in the Asheville Made article.

Barry Gurley Huffman, Feeding the Family, 1990, acrylic on canvas, 14 × 18 inches. Gift of the Artist, 2018.57.10. © Barry Gurley Huffman

As part of the YWCA’s commitment to eliminating racism, we have launched a weekly virtual Social Justice Hangout Hour hosted by Tre Williams, YWCA Racial Justice Advocate + RJC Member. These Friday gatherings, from noon to 1 pm, serve as a space to discuss relevant topics, raise awareness around racial equity and justice, engage with community members, meet local leaders in the freedom struggle, and just vibe. 

Click the button below to attend on Fridays between noon and 1 pm or join via Facebook. ATTEND THE HANGOUT

KEY FACTS: 

• In the past few days, hospital partners are reporting they are using blood at a much higher rate than normal. When demand is high, and the supply is critically low – that is a dangerous equation for the community.
• Because of the critically low supply, The Blood Connection (TBC) is now having to back-order blood products. This has affected 12 hospital partners so far.
• 48% of days this month, TBC DID NOT collect enough blood to cover hospitals’ needs. For comparison, in May of 2020 (during the pandemic) TBC collected enough to cover those needs 84% of the days.
• There is a high likelihood that TBC will have to start rationing blood by the end of the weekend.
• Heading into a holiday weekend – hospitals are stocking up their blood supply. TBC has already not been able to provide those products.
• The community is the ONLY solution to this dangerous problem. The blood supply for local hospitals is in the community’s hands. 

Smart Start Partnership for Children is an early childhood nonprofit serving Henderson County families
with children 0-5, with the mission to support, educate, and advocate to build a strong foundation for
the youngest members of our community. Smart Start Partnership for Children has officially moved
offices and now it is time to move all the gently used children’s books. Before this big moving day
happens, Smart Start is hosting ONE MORE final book sale in 2021. Throughout the year Smart Start
hosts book drives with key community partners. The books collected are often used at community
events, early literacy activities, and to support the once-a-year Smart Start book sale fundraiser. During
the covid-19 pandemic Smart Start has been able to host sales, but the organization has not been able
to attend community events. Smart Start wants to get these books into the hands of children, families,
and teachers.
Communications and Development Director Carrie Ann Chandler had this to say about the upcoming
sale.
“We’ve had two virtual sales and one hybrid book sale during this pandemic. While we have
been able to make some gains in fundraising through these efforts, we have not been able to reach the
families and wider community that our live February event has historically reached. We are thrilled that
we will be able to go back to our regular in-person February event in 2022. Please join us for one more
shopping event in 2021!”
Smart Start plans to host a Pay What You Can Bargain Book Sale for the week of June 14th – 18th. This
special sale will happen at the old Smart Start offices located at 722 5th Ave West, Hendersonville NC
28739. Folks will be welcomed into the old Smart Start offices to shop boxes and boxes of books, over
6,000 books still available. Special pricing, $Pay what you can for a BOX or a BAG of books. Please see
the schedule for shopping below, special late hours on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Hosted by: the Buddhist Studies Institute

FREE – ONLINE – 30 MINUTES – DAILY
🌺Guided meditation support and community🌺

🌸Stabilization and Liberation:
In order to liberate our minds– we need stable calm.

🌸Consistency & Commitment:
Stabilizing in calm clear presence takes consistent training.

🌸Support & Community:
Daily Meditation is a container and support for your meditation focus.

Expand your meditation circle- join us online any day or every day!

Formerly known as 100 Days of practice to support a Tibetan Yogis tradition to practice 100 days in the winter, this has now been expanded to continue daily. To learn more and register: https://buddhiststudiesinstitute.org/100-days-of-practice/

What we’re about

• June 10 Members Appreciation Party @ Global 5:30-7pm
• June 18 LEAF Pre- Juneteenth Celebration @ Global 5:30-7pm
• June 24 LEAF Lit Live virtual 7pm
• June 26 Live Music & Spoken Word @ Global 5:30-7pm

Join us in kicking off the Summer season with this special introductory price! Our workshops last between 1-2 hours and include all information and materials needed to create a fun, living terrarium. This class is perfect for beginners or experienced crafters!

Instruction covers learning about air plants, care tips, design principles, and more. We include everything needed to create your terrarium, from the container and plants to fun additions like shells, driftwood, gemstones and crystals, figurines, and more. A gift box and care instructions are included to ensure your success. Participants are welcome to bring (waterproof) figurines or other design additions that they’d like to incorporate into their terrarium.

Please register and purchase tickets at www.Vivid-Event.com . This is our most popular class and registration fills up quickly! Food, beverages, and alcohol will be available for purchase through our host venue, 828 Market on Main (180 N. Main St, Waynesville NC)

Joseph Pearson, The Talk

Joseph Pearson will be part of a two person exhibition at the YMI Cultural Center in downtown Asheville. The other artist is Mrs. Shirley Whitesides, the Director of Delta House Life Development Center in Asheville.

   vs.       

Winners of the Charlotte Blues Society’s 2016 Blues Challenge and Semi-finalists at the 37th annual International Blues Challenge 2017, Peggy and Aaron’s Bygone Blues project was born from a shared passion for Vintage Blues and in particular, Women in Blues History. They honor the female artists from the first 4 decades of the 1900’s and present original material influenced and inspired by that era. Their carefully selected cover playlist includes selections from Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Merline Johnson, Lil Johnson, Maime Smith and others. For this show they become a quartet with two phenomenal instrumentalists, Justin Ray, from Michael Buble’s orchestra on trumpet the Zack Page who plays with everyone, on upright bass!

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

This concert will also be Live Streamed from the Isis Music Hall Facebook Page

Back by popular demand our BBQ & Brews now featured on the Fontana Trestle Train, will roll out this Summer! Featuring slow-cooked BBQ prepared fresh and beer tastings showcasing our local breweries! Family-friendly seating will be available on this experience!

Departing from Bryson City at 7 pm, these trains will travel to the Fontana Trestle and beyond remaining parallel to the Fontana Lake stopping at the perfect viewing spot just around sunset for a spectacular view! A delicious BBQ meal will be served during the trip. Returning back to the Bryson City Depot at 9 pm.

In the Basket

Each of you will get your own basket of Southern-style barbeque goodness with a hand-pulled pork slider, a couple of pork ribs, and chicken drumstick accompanied by baked beans and house-made coleslaw.

And, of course, no respectable Southern barbeque would forget to warm up some apple cobbler for dessert.

Singer, songwriter, author, and humorist Mark Lowry is best known for penning the lyric to the Christmas classic “Mary Did You Know?” and singing baritone for the GRAMMY© Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band for many years. Lowry, who’s entertained audiences since he was 11 years old, has a unique gift of communicating profound Biblical truths through music and storytelling. His life’s work features a large catalog of diverse projects including many videos, books, and CDs. As known by audiences world-wide, any time spent with Mark Lowry is sure to tickle your funny bone and lift your spirits.

An evening of Drag with your host Marceline Mashic featuring Indica Gemini, Calcutta, Lustiana Bunny, Kristi Darling, Lexi Sharp, Nova Jynah and Jayda Chanel. The Sly Grog 271 Haywood St. Asheville, NC 28801. $10 Suggested Donation. ALL AGES

 On sale Friday, June 18 at 10am ET

Pat explains “I wanted to create an ongoing setting to feature a rotating cast of new and upcoming musicians who have particularly caught my interest along the way.” Pat continues “From my earliest days in Kansas City onward, I was the beneficiary of so many older musicians giving me a platform to develop my thing through the prism of their experience and the particular demands of what their music implied. I have been feeling like I wanted to have a specific platform to focus on some of the many younger musicians I have enjoyed recently who I have felt some kind of a kinship with.” “I hear regularly from new players on the scene who have professed an influence from my records and tunes and I often invite them up to my house to play. Very often, it is really natural and organic to the music to play with them, they have literally grown up with it. I find myself inspired by how they deal with the musical challenges that come with the territory of some of those older tunes, and at the same time I find myself intrigued with the possibilities of what might be possible in writing new music just for them. This band setting is what that will be all about.” This edition of Side-Eye will feature James Francies (keyboards, piano) and drummer Joe Dyson.