Brighten your walls with with works from Artsville Collective’s upcoming exhibition, “In Living Color: At Home with Paint, Paper and Thread.”  Allow these abstract pieces, in varying sizes and mediums, to light up your life. Collectively, the artwork’s tonal range is of blended neutrals and ventures into spring and fall palettes. Suit your design pleasures with pure color or wabi-sabi textural designs in a range of perspectives from three uniquely talented artists: Betsy Meyer, fibers; Karen Stastny, painting, and Michelle Wise, mixed media. Also showing: the Retro pop art of Daryl Slaton, which can be activated on your phone to reveal an animated story. For a softer approach, consider the mixed media art of Louise Glickman using paint, textiles, and natural plant materials.

Useful and Beautiful: Silvercraft by William Waldo Dodge features a selection of functional silver works by Dodge drawn from the Museum’s Collection. Organized by the Asheville Art Museum and curated by Whitney Richardson, associate curator, this exhibition will be on view in the Debra McClinton Gallery at the Museum from February 23 through October 17, 2022.

William Waldo Dodge Jr. (Washington, DC 1895–1971 Asheville, NC) moved to Asheville in 1924 as a trained architect and a newly skilled silversmith. When he opened for business promoting his handwrought silver tableware, including plates, candlesticks, flatware (spoons, forks, and knives), and serving dishes, he did so in a true Arts and Crafts tradition. The aesthetics of the style were dictated by its philosophy: an artist’s handmade creation should reflect their hard work and skill, and the resulting artwork should highlight the material from which it was made. Dodge’s silver often displayed his hammer marks and inventive techniques, revealing the beauty of these useful household goods.

The Arts and Crafts style of England became popular in the United States in the early 1900s. Asheville was an early adopter of the movement because of the popularity and abundance of Arts and Crafts architecture in neighborhoods like Biltmore Forest, Biltmore Village, and the area around The Grove Park Inn. The title of this exhibition was taken from the famous quotation by one of the founding members of the English Arts and Crafts Movement, William Morris, who said, “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Not only did Dodge follow this suggestion; he contributed to American Arts and Crafts silver’s relevancy persisting almost halfway into the 20th century.

“It has been over 15 years since the Museum exhibited its collection of William Waldo Dodge silver and I am looking forward to displaying it in the new space with some new acquisitions added,” said Whitney Richardson, associate curator. Learn more at ashevilleart.org.

Start mentally preparing for the ceremonial start to the summer and your first dip in the pool! Buncombe County Recreation Services opens its five outdoor swimming pools on Saturday, May 28.

Pools are open Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, pools may close for a short period of time or the entire day. Follow individual pools on Facebook for the latest information on closings.

Cost to swim is $3.00 per day. Visitors are welcome to bring their own chairs and lounging towels.

For many local families, our pool openings signal the beginning of summer and more relaxing days. They’re an affordable, fun, and healthy way to beat the heat. Thanks to their locations, they’re also surrounded by stunning views of our mountains.

Pools are located across the county, ensuring easy access for all kids and families. The facilities are managed through an agreement with Swim Club Management Group of Asheville which oversees maintenance, hires staff, and handles daily operations. Community members can sign up for swim lessons and book private parties on the management group’s website, buncombepool.com.

Sun safety information is available at each location, but pool visitors are reminded to apply water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher before putting on a bathing suit and reapply every two hours or after swimming. Other tips to avoid the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays include wearing high-UPF swim shirts, wide brim hats, and wraparound UV-blocking sunglasses. More sun safety tips are available from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Pool Locations

Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
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Erwin Pool
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
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Hominy Valley Pool
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715
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North Buncombe Pool
892 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
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Owen Pool
117 Stone Drive
Swannanoa, NC 28778
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Volunteer Docent Opportunities Beginning June 7, 2022 Overview & training provided. Docents will serve as hosts and share information about the art on exhibit in the lovely Parker Gallery. Current Opening for Volunteers 12 Noon – 2 PM &/0r  2 – 4 PM on the following days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays and Fourth Fridays – June 24 & July 22 from 5 – 7 PM Click here to sign up by email or request details.

Join us at Eliada Home’s campus for a small group guided walking Farm Tour. Tours last approximately 1 hour. Participants will learn about outdoor and greenhouse growing practices, aquaponics, hydroponics, market gardening, corn maze production, and learn about our Animal Therapy program.

We will be meeting at the PARC building and walking to the different greenhouses, garden site, and a visit with our animals. Reservations required, tickets are $10 each visitor (to be collected at the time of the tour).

We recommend bringing the following: comfortable shoes for walking on pavement and grass, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.  This tour is not handicap accessible and will require participants to climb stairs and walk on uneven ground.

We will begin out tour promptly at the starting time, so please arrive 5-10 min early to allow for parking and check-in. If you are running late or cannot make your tour, please email [email protected] or call #828-348-2287.

All proceeds from ticket sales from your farm tour go directly back to helping the Campus Farm Program grow more food for the children of Eliada!

Click above photo to sign up for a time slot and number of people in your group. Payment for tour will be collected when you arrive. Cards accepted.

This tour is best suited for school age children ages 10+ and adults.

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/daily-meditation/

Join us for a Gallery Talk with artists whose works in a variety of media are featured in our summer art exhibit currently on display in the Baker Visitor Center. Numerous pieces showcase some of the beautiful landscapes and plants that North Carolina has to offer, connecting people with plants through art. Celebrate an enduring creative legacy that honors parents Edwin and Mildred Voorhees, who instilled an artistic spirit in their children. Artists and siblings Jane, David and Susan Voorhees lead the June Gallery Talk. Additional talks are planned for July, August and prior to the show’s closing in September. Limited to pre-registered participants only in the small-group setting with safety guidelines in place.

Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.

Literacy Together (formerly the Literacy Council of Buncombe County) is a nonprofit organization working with children, youth, and adults to increase comprehensive literacy and English language skills through access to literacy resources and specialized instruction by trained volunteer tutors. Literacy Together relies on volunteer tutors to offer students personal instruction and high-quality materials through various programs.

The Youth Literacy Program is seeking tutors to meet with students K-5 twice a week for 50 minutes, between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm. The Youth Literacy Program works with two after-school programs that primarily serve youth of color.  The two locations are in Asheville.

Youth Literacy tutors work with children from low-income families who read, write, and/or spell below their grade level. Tutors in this program complete an initial orientation and a 16-20 hours training, which includes some pre-course work and/or homework (short articles to read, short videos to watch). They then receive follow-up support and the option to attend in-service training throughout their tutoring commitment. Youth Literacy tutors commit to working with their students for at least one school year.

Time Commitment:

• Twice a week for 50-minute sessions between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm.
• Youth Literacy tutors commit to working with their students for at least one school year.

Requirements: 

• GED or High School diploma
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work patiently with various levels of literacy skills
• Access to reliable internet
• Ability to navigate virtual meetings with minimal distractions
• Complete a background check

Training:

• Tutors must complete 16-20 hours of training prior to being assigned a student

Join us for this educational and fun guided drum session. No drumming experience needed. In this hour long session we will establish the foundations of rhythm and experiment with various concepts from there.

Registration is required and will be limited to 15 people to ensure we have enough instruments for everyone. Feel free to bring your own drum or percussion instrument.

The Saluda Tailgate market features growers from both Polk and Henderson counties. It is an agriculture-only market meeting every Friday from May through October, 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the city’s West Main Parking lot. Local producers are connected with consumers to keep food dollars in the community and support regional fresh food and family farms, thereby protecting the flourishing of beautiful ridges, fertile fields and clean watersheds. Cash, credit/debit, and EBT cards are all accepted with a Polk County Community Foundation grant often doubling EBT value.

The market has been a spring to fall Saluda tradition since 2010, with neighbors gathering to meet growers and purchase a complete and balanced array of meat, fish, poultry, eggs and cheese, seasonal vegetables and fruit, baked and preserved goods, flowers, herbs, and plants for the home gardener.

Cook teams of 4-6 individuals are invited to bring ingredients and prepare meals onsite or bring meals that have been prepared elsewhere.  To meet our dietary standards, we ask that each meal provides a meat, vegetable and starch.

Requirements:

• Background Check
• Brief orientation prior to service
• Ability to Multi-Task
• Friendly Demeanor

Health & Safety:

• We are asking volunteers to wear/bring their own face mask if you have not been fully vaccinated
• Temperatures will be checked and a COVID-19 disclosure will be signed at the volunteer entrance

• Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

  Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.

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  ABCCM Transformation Village provides up to 100 beds of transitional housing and will provide emergency shelter beds, post Covid-19.  Transforming lives is through four developmental phases called Steps to Success including stabilization, life skills, education and reintegration.  We are honored to report that 8 out of 10 leave us with a living wage job and permanent housing.

  Transformation Village gives hope, healing, health and a home to single women, mothers with children, and female Veterans experiencing homelessness.  We provide residents a fresh start and a place to heal surrounded and supported by Christian love, trust, education and companionship.

  We are seeking energetic volunteers to prepare and serve meals for our residents for lunch and dinner. This opportunity provides you with the chance to prepare meals in our commercial kitchen alongside our trained staff while serving the women and children of Transformation Village. 

Visiting Asheville soon and looking for a fun way to fill your Friday night? The Asheville Drum Circle is a tradition unique to the area. While locals usually begin the beating of drums, tourists are welcome to join, dance, or simply take in the incredible atmosphere at any point.

If you’re looking for things to do in the area during your stay, this is a must! Here’s everything you should know about the Drum Circle.

The Asheville Drum Circle is a free event that’s open to all.

Fassas was born in Eastern Kentucky and grew up in the rural mountain town of Irvine. His mother; a skilled artist and horse trainer. His father; a lifelong musician and entrepreneur. MF began to play guitar around age 10, and by age 15 was already teaching lessons as a part time job. The love of music in high school talent show bands became serious study in college. Fassas eventually found himself as a full time guitarist for hire in Upstate South Carolina.

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Fast forward to now after 20 years of intense practice, songwriting, gigging with a wide variety of bands, recording, jamming, teaching, learning, being completely submersed in music every day. The once proclaimed “child guitar guru” is a true grit working musician, dues paid in full.

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With guitar influences like Lowell George and Jimi Hendrix, paired up alongside songwriting influences like Jeff Tweedy and Paul Simon, Fassas brings you on a ride across dimensions of joy and pain, clarity and sarcasm. True musicianship and strength on an instrument, matched with honest, heartfelt songs written with the full intent of reaching your heart (and your booty) with a blend of Americana, jam, blues, and rock.

June 10: Space Jam: A New Legacy (rated PG for some language and cartoon violence)

– When LeBron James and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitized champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life, that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself.

If You Go

• All movies begin at dusk in Pack Square Park on 80 Court Plaza in downtown Asheville.
• Rec n Roll Fun Zone programming starts at 7 p.m.
• Pets, smoking, and alcohol are prohibited.
• Free parking is available in marked spaces on city streets and in city-owned lots on Marjorie Street after 6 p.m.

Antonio LOTTI: Credo in F
Johann Sebastian BACH: Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041
George Frideric HANDEL: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232

The opening concert of the 2022 Charlotte Bach Festival celebrates the passion and virtuosity of our world-class Bach Akademie musicians in a fiery program of music by Handel, Lotti, and, of course, Johann Sebastian Bach.

Dating from his time working in Rome and years before the Hallelujah Chorus, Handel’s Dixit Dominus remains unsurpassed as a tour de force of vocal virtuosity and baroque bravura.

Antonio Lotti’s rarely performed Credo in F features the stunning Crucifixus for eight voices, the piece that immortalized Lotti’s place in music history and reveals the brilliance of Italian craft and passion so admired by Handel and Bach.

As the inaugural concert of the Bach Akademie Orchestra, newly appointed concertmaster and leader Aisslinn Nosky solos in Bach’s Violin Concerto in A Minor.

When his husband dies, Remy Washington, a Black man, finds himself both the owner of a drive-in movie theater and a caregiver to his late husband’s straight, white teenage son, Peter, who goes by “Pup”. United by their love of classic American monster movies, the two have developed a warm and caring familial chemistry – but their relationship fractures when Remy discovers Pup and his friends have been bullying a gay teen at his school. Told through dueting monologue and playful dialogue, “Monsters of the
American Cinema” is a haunting and humorous tale about fathers and sons, ghosts, and the monsters we battle in the world and within ourselves.

The Fangmeyer Theatre at HART
Directed by Julie Kinter

See the play that inspired the movie we all know and love, Steel Magnolias. Step into Truvy’s Beauty Salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to get their hair done. The story follows six uniquely southern women over the course of three years as they form friendships as strong as steel. When tragedy strikes, this group of women draw on their underlying strength—and love—leaving the audience with a truly touching story by turns hilarious and poignant. “You have no idea how wonderful you are,” M’Lynn tells the ladies at the end of the play. Truvy responds, with a smile, “Of course we do.”

Suitable for all audiences.

MIDSUMMER FOR HATERS!

A Collaboration with Nemesis Theatre Company
Directed by Melon Wedick

Shakespeare’s beloved classic gets a new treatment by the people who can’t stand it, resulting in a kidnapped Amazon, mystified mortals, sadistic fairies, and mechanicals gone wild! Will any of them survive four nights in the magic forest?

There are two versions of the cast for this show. The two casts are listed below. The cast won’t know which of the two versions they’re presenting until the show starts for each performance! If you’re interested in seeing a particular actor in a specific role, please contact us at [email protected].

Cast A:
Helena – Christine Hellman
Hermia – Lauren Otis
Demetrius – Jon Stockdale
Lysander – Daniel Henry
Titania – Alexander McDonald
Oberon – Erin McCarson
Ensemble A – Molly Graves, Zak Hamrick, Christine Hellman, Katie Jones, Haven Volpe, Paul Vonasek

Cast B:
Helena – Christine Hellman
Hermia – Molly Graves
Demetrius – Alexander McDonald
Lysander – Paul Vonasek
Titania – Lauren Otis
Oberon – Jon Stockdale
Ensemble B is Zak Hamrick, Christine Hellman, Daniel Henry, Katie Jones, Erin McCarson, Haven Volpe

by Rick Cummins & John Scoullar book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Directed by Jason Williams Opening 6/10/2022 – 7/9/2022

The Magnetic Theatre presents the local premiere of Starbright, written by Asheville resident Sean David Robinson, running July 8th through July 23rd, 2022.
Starbright is the story of Grace, an astrophysicist who lost her daughter Abby nearly a year ago. As Grace’s life spins out of control, Abby appears to her and begins making predictions about the cosmos. Grace must determine if her daughter’s appearance is a sign of her dwindling sanity, or proof that there’s more to the universe than even she understands.

When Grace’s visions from beyond the grave start seeping into her reality, husband Calvin and aunt Margaret must put aside their own struggles and come together to assess Grace’s stability and safety. In light of her family history of mental health issues, can Grace persuade them to trust in her conviction that Abby is speaking to her?

Starbright is Sean David Robinson’s first full-length play. It was selected by the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival in New York City and made its original debut Off-Broadway in 2018. Starbright was named the winner of the 2018 North Carolina New Play Project and the Centre Stage New Play Festival in Greenville, SC. It was also shortlisted as a semi-finalist for the inaugural New Works Festival at the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank, CA.

Directed by Ashleigh Goff, Starbright features Courtney DeGennaro Robinson as Grace, Scott Voloshin as Calvin, Ivy Voloshin as Abby, and Janet Oliver as Margaret. Performances run Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 4:00pm. For tickets and more information, visit https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=132323.

Located at 375 Depot St in the River Arts District, The Magnetic Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It has been a home for live performance in Asheville for over a decade, producing original works, experimental theatre, variety shows, comedy, late night shows, and more.

Forest Bathing with Fireflies

Immerse yourself in the magic of twilight and experience the wonders of nighttime in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From sunset and starry skies to fireflies, we’ll marvel at Mother Nature’s light shows as we explore the forest, hoping to encounter the elusive Blue Ghost Firefly species!

The evening begins with a gentle, guided stroll together through a peaceful forest, ending in an open meadow where we’ll settle in as the sun sets and sparkling fireflies emerge all around us. Though we cannot guarantee a showing, we will also hope to see the elusive Blue Ghost Fireflies and will surely enjoy the forest at twilight.

Unplug in a peaceful, private setting with a series of nature connection invitations led by a certified forest therapy guide. Quiet your mind and awaken your senses as we sink into the heightened awareness of this special evening experience. Together, we’ll deepen our connection with nature, community and ourselves. The best part: there’s no right or wrong way to forest bathe; just bring an open heart, adventurous spirit and be yourself. All is welcome in the forest.

This special offering takes place on private property with group sizes limited to 15 for a more intimate experience.

Prefer a more exclusive experience? Private Firefly Tours are available Sun-Thurs May 29-June 12 with advanced notice.

This “theatrical landmark has transformed theater and the way we think about history” (The New York Times)

Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. It has won Tony^®, Grammy^®, and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

Official Website

This show was previously scheduled for February 3, 2022. If you have tickets for the February show, they will be honored at the rescheduled show.

New Madrid has released 4 albums over the last 10 years. In that same time they’ve performed over 650 times letting people near and far into their world.

Their moods are glacial yet frenetic. They conjure wide space for their hypnotic churn to unfurl. Driving mass of sound. Music to move through you. Music as sonic landscapes.

New Madrid got closest to those feelings on their most recent album, the self-titled, ‘New Madrid.’ Soaring harmonies, guitars that lead, follow and surround. Glowing sparkles. Embers lay , breathing, till the wind blows them.

The rhythm is a driving glue pushing earthly melodies to the stratosphere. A sweet and understanding fury big and full as ever. Watch the earth turn small blue and green floating backward.

To date their space rock has been made on earth, but they have always studied their maps. They are always writing. They’ve been building machines to take them beyond. Something to carry the band to a new inner and outer space.

They are currently working on the follow up recordings to their fourth album.