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.

Thursday, March 31, 2022
Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic & Feature Comedy at Asheville Pizza
Mar 31 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co

Cocktails, taps & menu available while you laugh the night away to some of the areas best Standup Comics in a ridiculously fun adult environment!

For more info contact Michele at [email protected].

3/31 Hosted by Ryan Cox
Comedy Open Mic Featuring
Cody Hughes, Katy Hudson & John Hawley

7:30p-till, 18+
Doors 6:30p: [Music before show provided by Buzz Radio Asheville]

Comedy Open Mic plus Three Professional featured performers. Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free pizza at comics table]
Buy tix at: https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/location/north/

Slice of Life Comedy Open Mic & Feature Comedy at Asheville Pizza
Mar 31 @ 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co

Cocktails, taps & menu available while you laugh the night away to some of the areas best Standup Comics
in a ridiculously fun adult environment!!
For more info contact Michele at [email protected]
3/31 Hosted by Ryan Cox
Comedy Open Mic Featuring
Cody Hughes, Katy Hudson & John Hawley
7:30p-till, 18+
Doors 6:30p: [Music before show provided by Buzz Radio Asheville]
Comedy Open Mic plus Three Professional featured performers. Open mic comics signup at door get 3-5m. [Free entry for performing comics, free pizza at comics table]
Buy tix at: https://www.ashevillebrewing.com/location/north/

The Music of Elton John
Mar 31 @ 7:30 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
Music on the Rock. The Music of
                Elton John. March 31 - April 2

The Elton John Experience offers the most complete and authentic reproduction of Sir Elton John’s live concert performance in the world. Their astonishing representation of the ‘Rocket Man’ features hits from the  1970’s, 80’s, 90’s and beyond! The Elton Live! band is a company of professional musicians who have each played with incredible touring acts like Sugarland, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Corey Smith, and the legend himself Sir Elton John! The Elton Live! band is the driving force behind a spectacular live performance and sheer rock-n-roll wall of sound.

Jinjer
Mar 31 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel

Through their relentless hard work, non-stop touring and critically acclaimed /chart-breaking releases gaining over 250M streams/views across all platforms globally – JINJER are truly one of modern metal’s hottest and most exciting bands around today. The band has become synonymous with doing things their own way and breaking every rule in the Heavy Metal handbook- which they made loudly clear on their hugely successful fourth studio album: WALLFLOWERS.

In less than12 years, the four-piece Progressive Groove metal wrecking machine known as JINJER have carved their very own place in the Metal landscape. Hailing from Donetsk but now based in Kiev, this Ukrainian musical oddity formed in 2009 but consider the official start of the band with the addition of the incredible vocalist and Femme Fatale Tatiana Shmayluk in 2010. The band labored intensively and honed their sound in practice rooms and local stages relentlessly, culminating in their now cult debut album release INHALE, DO NOT BREATHE in 2012 and winning Best Ukrainian Metal Band in 2013. They would be awarded this prize again a few years later.

While most bands from a country not exactly known for it’s Heavy Metal exports would be content to enjoy the recognition gained in those first few years, it was clear that JINJER craved more and were willing to go the distance to make this happen. It was this attitude and clear vision that saw the band quickly write and release their second album CLOUD FACTORY in 2014, and venture into the international touring market for the first time, booking their own shows and building their reputation face to face, fan to fan and more importantly under their own terms.

It was this intensity that caught the attention of Napalm Records, who quickly signed JINJER, leading to the release of their critically acclaimed third album KING OF EVERYTHING in 2016, as well as the game changing single video for PISCES, which gained the band new fans, millions of views/streams and countless reaction videos on Youtube. KING OF EVERYTHING showcased the musical prowess and growth of the entire band while opening the floodgates to a bigger International touring circuit which JINJER gladly took advantage of. By the end of nearly two years of non-stop touring in Europe, JINJER added new territories such as Israel, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, America, Canada and most of Latin America, while sharing the stages and touring with the likes of Arch Enemy, Cradle Of Filth and DevilDriver.

Somewhere between touring vans, visa applications, and flights to new tour destinations, JINJER buried themselves in the rehearsal room to compose 5 brand new tracks for what would become the MICRO EP, written not only for the fans but for themselves, as they needed something new to keep their sanity on the road. Released in January 2019 and coinciding with their European Tour start together with Soilwork and Amorphis, the MICRO EP spawned the instant fan favorites APE and PERENNIAL, climbing to the top of many industry charts and radio station lists worldwide and once again showcased the musical growth and songwriting talent of the band, as well as Tatiana’s amazing vocal range.

In October 2019 JINJER turned on the heat even more with the release of their third album MACRO. Once again written and recorded between non-stop touring, MACRO’s sheer intensity and straight up technical brilliance propelled them to a whole new level in the metal scene, spawning eight videos including the huge hits JUDGEMENT (& PUNISHMENT), RETROSPECTION and HOME BACK, and once again raising the bar and gaining massive respect by fans, press and peers alike.

As JINJER finished out the year with their heads still rolling from the sold out Macro World Tours in North America and Europe, the band started 2020 off with high hopes with sold out performances in Tel Aviv, Australia and Latin America. Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they played their final show in Mexico at the Hell & Heaven Festival which not only ended their touring plans abruptly but was probably the last metal festival on the planet. Still, never ones to ever give up, JINJER rallied together and in September 2020, they played 6 shows in Europe becoming the very first international band to cross borders to perform live during the pandemic. In November 2020, JINJER released their very first live album and concert video ALIVE IN MELBOURNE, which was filmed one week before the lockdown hit, giving not only their fans but themselves some hope that better days were on the way.

In August 2021, to the surprise and delight of fans, JINJER released their most ambitious album to date: WALLFLOWERS, presenting a methodical and premeditated next step in the band’s already imposing career, but moreover, mirroring the personal adversities they’ve faced during the worldwide events over the last few years. WALLFLOWERS is not only an upgrade to the progressive groove metal sound that all JINJER fans crave, but also a sonic pressure cooker of technical musicianship, emotional fury and an intense soundtrack befitting the harrowing state of the world today. From the blast beat laden banger COLOSSUS, to the 90s grunge vibe of DISCLOSURE! and dynamically blazing MEDIATOR, to the dark and gloomy psychedelic ride of WALLFLOWER and blistering urgency of tracks such as VORTEX and AS I BOIL ICE – the unbridled heaviness and personality proved to be another standout addition to JINJER’s already widely celebrated catalog, and a new standard for creativity in Modern Metal as a whole.

JINJER closed 2021 with over 70 concerts including many summer festivals, a short tour of mainland Europe and a hugely successful two month North American Tour, proving to the band and their fans that Metal music is here to stay … and so are JINJER …

to be continued.

jinjer-metal.com

Friday, April 1, 2022
Applications Open for YELP Summer Internship
Apr 1 all-day
online

The YELP Assistant position is an 11 week paid internship between May 23 – August 5 for young BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) adults aged 18-22.

Interns are responsible for helping to lead an educational, environmental service work internship for BIPOC high schoolers. Interns work in the field locally in the greater Asheville area, as well as in the Great Smoky Mountains, completing environmental service work, learning from experts and relevant community partners, and developing their own group initiatives.

The intern does not need to arrive with these skills. Part of their internship will include learning to canoe and kayak, how to collect scientific data, hiking etiquette, and nonviolent communication leadership training.

More information can be found through the Job Description linked above.

Questions? Email [email protected] or [email protected]

Learn more about the YELP Program here.

Asheville Parks + Recreation’s city-wide free Fit 50 Challenge
Apr 1 all-day
City of Asheville
Fit 50 Challenge

Ashevillians looking for motivation to get moving during colder months can join friends, neighbors, and other community members as the city runs, walks, and rolls during the free Fit 50 Challenge. Back for its second year, Asheville Parks & Recreation’s challenge allows participants to track their progress as they complete 50 miles between February 1-April 1.

“Taking a brisk 30 minute walk, hike, ride, or stroll each day has tremendous benefits,” according to Alic Wynn, Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Facility Supervisor and Certified Personal Trainer. “The Fit 50 Challenge offers a great opportunity to improve or maintain overall health and wellness goals. The challenge builds on the encouragement and spirit of our community in a way that shows we all want to see each other succeed.”

Running, walking, and rolling around Asheville allow residents to explore, connect, and discover. These benefits are great on their own, but Fit 50 Challenge participants can also win prizes. All registrants receive an exclusive sticker to display as a badge of honor on a favorite water bottle, bike, or notebook. The five challengers who record the top five mileage totals win prize packs.  Of those, the two with the most total miles win an Apple Watch (first place) and AirPods (second place).

Miles can be completed anywhere by running, walking, jogging, skating, cycling, or whichever way challengers choose. With numerous natural surface trails in parks and neighborhoods, treadmills and tracks at community centers, self-guided tours such as the Urban Trail, and 8 miles of paved greenways, the City of Asheville offers a variety of ways to enjoy the city at no cost.

Find out more information and register for the challenge.

In addition to the Fit 50 Challenge, Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts regular walking clubs, hikes, adaptive recreation, races and relays, and story trails throughout the city. Download the AVL Rec app for iPhone, search programs online, or browse Asheville Park & Recreation’s programming guide for the latest opportunities.

Asheville Fit 50 Challenge

City wide community challenge
Challenge starts: February 1st
Challenges ends: April 1st
Sign up: FREE

Rules:
-Every participant must register for the challenge

-Obtain 50 miles by running, walking or rolling by April 1st, 2022 (60days)

-You can track miles through your daily steps. 2500 steps equals one mile

-Upload proof of miles/steps on our bi weekly Facebook post about the challenge(you can do this by uploading a picture of the tracking form we provide to everyone or a screenshot of your mileage from smartwatch or in phone health app)

-Forms of tracking include Smart watch/step watch, phone app, or pedometer(will be provided if needed)

-You are more than welcome to go over the 50 mile challenge and you are also encouraged to do so.

Participants:
-The first 75 registered participant will receive a free 2022 “Asheville FIT 50 t-shirt”

-The top 5 mileage participants will also receive an Asheville Parks & Rec goodie bag prize!

-1st and 2nd place winners for total mileage will receive a grand prize

Blue Ridge Community College NURSING PROGRAM EXPANSION
Apr 1 all-day
online w/ BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

A nursing student adjusts a breathing tube on a simulated patient while an instructor demonstrates a technique

In response to statewide demand for healthcare
professionals, Blue Ridge Community College announced today an
expansion of the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program. The hands-on
nursing education program added 20 seats, now serving up to 74 students
each year. ADN students learn from highly qualified faculty in state-of-the-art
simulation labs at the College’s Health Science Center in Hendersonville or
Transylvania County Campus in Brevard. Blue Ridge is actively accepting
applications for qualified students. Scholarships and tuition assistance are
available, and more details can be found at http://blueridge.edu/nursing.
“Blue Ridge Community College’s team of experienced and compassionate
instructors plays a vital role in preparing aspiring nurses for jobs today and in
the future,” said AdventHealth Hendersonville Chief Nursing Officer Maureen
Dzialo, MS, RN, NE-BC. “They help students in our local community find
rewarding careers with endless possibilities for advancement. AdventHealth
values their exceptional program and the students that graduate from Blue
Ridge.”
Graduates of the two-year program are prepared and eligible to take the
National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become registered
nurses and provide hands-on care in a variety of health care settings. In 2021,
Blue Ridge students’ first-time pass rate for this exam was 96%.
“Pardee UNC Health Care is proud to partner with Blue Ridge Community
College to help train the next generation of nurses,” said Carol Stefaniak, DNP,
RN, NE-BC, VP Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Pardee UNC
Health Care. “Their nursing program graduates are of the highest caliber year
after year, and as we work to recruit a qualified workforce while facing a
national shortage of nurses, we are grateful to Blue Ridge for actively working
to fill that pipeline.”
Educating and training the next generation of nursing professionals is a crucial
step toward meeting the needs of area residents. It also positions the
workforce to respond to increasing demand for healthcare workers.
Furthermore, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 2.6 million
healthcare occupation jobs will be added between 2020 and 2030.
“Nursing is a rewarding profession that aligns the passion to make a difference
in our community with the desire for a dependable career path,” said Blue
Ridge Community College Dean of Health Sciences Leigh Angel, MSN, RN. “As
essential members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, nurses use expert
knowledge and clinical reasoning to manage complex care needs – all while
compassionately caring for others during each stage of life.

Buncombe County Accepting Proposals for COVID Recovery Funding
Apr 1 all-day
online
Buncombe County is seeking project ideas to help the community recover from and respond to COVID-19 and its negative economic impacts. Nonprofits and public organizations can submit projects now for consideration to be funded by federal COVID Recovery Funding.

This is the second Request for Proposals issued by the County as part of COVID Recovery Funding, which Buncombe County was allocated $50.7M through the American Rescue Plan Act. So far, the county has awarded $23.1M to 27 projects, leaving $27.6 M available still to award.

Buncombe County Commissioners have selected ten categories for this round of proposals:

  • Affordable Housing
  • Aging/Older Adults
  • Business Support/Economic Development
  • Environment/Climate
  • Homelessness
  • K-12 Education
  • Infrastructure and/or Broadband
  • Mental Health/Substance Use
  • NC Pre-K Expansion
  • Workforce

If you are interested in applying, the deadline is Tuesday, April 12 at noon. Learn more here.

The county is also holding a workshop that will help you better understand what projects the County is looking to fund and best practices on creating a successful application. Learn more about the scope of projects Buncombe County is looking for and have a chance to ask questions. All questions and responses from the session will be posted in the form of an addendum, and a recording of the session will be published.

The virtual funding workshop will be held on Monday, March 14 from 1:30-3 p.m. Register here.

Charge Your Car at the East Asheville Library
Apr 1 all-day
East Asheville Public Library

East Asheville Library electric car charging station.

As part of the East Asheville Library’s LEED certification, the library has two level 2 (240 volt/30 amp) electric car chargers and special parking spots for both electric and other clean air vehicles, such as hybrids. The chargers add about 25 miles of range per hour of charge time and should be able to charge all types of electric vehicles. Tesla vehicles do require an adapter that comes with the vehicle when purchased.

These features are part of Buncombe County’s long-term plan for sustainable and eco-friendly facilities. To learn more about the Library’s LEED certification, stop by the library and ask for more information.

Flat Rock Playhouse: Introduces online playbills
Apr 1 all-day
online

 

Introducing the Online Playbill

Learn More About the New Online Playbill

We’re going green!

Flat Rock Playhouse is now producing online playbills! View the online playbill at your leisure before and after the performance!

You can view the online playbill ahead of time by clicking the link in your concierge email, which will be sent approximately 7 days before your performance.

The below instructions are for viewing the online playbill once at the theatre.

How It Works: 1. When you enter the theatre, get a playbill sheet from an usher. 2. Get out your mobile device, open the camera app, and scan the QR code on your playbill sheet. 3. The online playbill will open automatically or you can click on the link to manually open it. 4. Enjoy direct links to local businesses, our wonderful sponsors, video presentations, and more!

History @ Home – Virtual Exhibits w/ The Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA)
Apr 1 all-day
online
Stories from the House is a virtual tour of our 1840s-era brick mansion as seen through the eyes of many of the people who walked these same hallways over a century ago and whose stories represent a microcosm of the history of western North Carolina.
In 1918 vs. 2020, we took an in-depth look at the 1918 influenza epidemic in Western North Carolina through newspaper clippings, advertisements, ephemera, photographs, and oral history and place the events of 1918 into context with our present-day response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Old Shiloh was one of Asheville’s first communities established by emancipated people. The community moved to its present-day location – New Shiloh – after George Vanderbilt, in an effort to expand his land holdings as he planned to build his Biltmore Estate, purchased the land and buildings and agreed to relocate the Shiloh church and cemetery.

Need Help With Water Bills? New Water Assistance Program Could Offer Help.
Apr 1 all-day
online

If you’re behind on your water bill or afraid your water might get cut off, a new resource might be able to help you. On Jan. 4, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved more than $450,000 in federal funding for the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). The initiative is aimed at preventing water disconnections and helping reconnect drinking and wastewater services.

The LIHWAP will be administered by Buncombe County-based Eblen Charities. The nonprofit will make payments directly to utilities on behalf of qualifying households. The program is slated to run through Sept. 30, 2023 or until funds are exhausted.

Eligibility requirements

Households that currently receive Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Work First services, or those that received Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) services from Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021, are automatically eligible to receive this benefit if their water services have been cut off or are in danger of being cut off.

For additional eligibility information or to apply, please contact Eblen Charities at (828) 255-3066.

Online Education Programs with The Preservation Society of Asheville + Buncombe County
Apr 1 all-day
online

The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County (PSABC) was formed in 1976, with interest in preservation sparked by observance of the U. S. Bicentennial, and in response to threats to local buildings and sites posed by neglect, insensitive alteration, and large-scale transportation projects. Disinvestment in downtown, plans for the open cut through Beaucatcher Mountain, and a proposal to turn Montford Avenue into a through street connecting to U.S.19-23 spurred formation of the volunteer group, which quickly incorporated and initiated work as a community non-profit.

Online Education Programs

South Asheville Cemetery by Anne Chesky Smith

From Mountain Crafts to Arts and Crafts by Bruce Johnson

It happened on Chiles Avenue by James Vaughn

and more

Past Programs Available On-Demand from The Western North Carolina Historical Association (WNCHA)
Apr 1 all-day
online
If you are able, consider making a donation to our Community Funded Ticket program, which provides no-cost tickets to our live events to those who could not afford to attend.
Donate Here
Vaccines and Public Health in WNC: Past and Present

In this two-hour event, three historians discuss previous epidemics, pandemics, and public health campaigns in WNC and Appalachia, including the 1918 flu, smallpox, and polio, as well as the community and government efforts to combat these crises. These historians are followed by an immunologist and a virologist—both professors of biology at Appalachian State University— who present information on Covid-19 variants as well as data on lives saved by vaccines.

Watch Now
The Brevard Rosenwald School

Betty J. Reed discusses her research into the Brevard Rosenwald School and other segregated schools in WNC. This school, also funded by Julius Rosenwald, served African American students in Transylvania County from c1923-1966 and, according to Reed, represents “a microcosm of Black education in southern Appalachia.” Reed, a native of Western North Carolina, is an independent scholar who has spent over twenty-five years researching the history of schools in the region, especially those functioning during the era of segregation.

Watch Now
Buncombe Co. Remembrance Project

This project acknowledges the personal and community trauma inflicted on individuals of color after the Civil War, the Equal Justice Initiative’s research related to lynchings, and the three lynchings of record that occurred in Buncombe County, NC. Dr. Joseph Fox is a life-long educator, mentor, and community advocate. He has advocated for students of a darker hue for more than 30 years in his role as a community college instructor, as well as his role as a former Department Chair of Business Administration at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

Watch Now
Spring Photo Contest – “Trees in Bloom”
Apr 1 @ 12:00 am – 12:45 pm
Chimney Rock State Park

Image result for Chimney Rock Park

NC State Parks’ Year of the Tree continues with a celebration of spring trees. Break out your camera and capture the transformation of trees from winter to spring as they show off their gorgeous blooms throughout the next few months. You may even win a prize for your efforts!

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO 3 WINNING ENTRIES

1st Prize: The winning photo will be our Facebook cover photo for two weeks, and the photographer will receive two annual passes to Chimney Rock State Park, two boat tour tickets from Lake Lure Tours, and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

2nd Prize: After the first place photo, the second place photo will be our Facebook cover photo for one week. The photographer will receive two annual passes to Chimney Rock State Park and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

3rd Prize: The third place photographer will receive two adult day passes (or one family pack of day passes) to Chimney Rock State Park and dinner for two at the Old Rock Café.

CONTEST RULES:

  1. There is no fee to enter the contest. All photographs must be taken of Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park only in areas accessible to guests between April 1, 2022 – May 31, 2022.
    The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers.
  2. Up to three photos per person can be submitted via any of the following ways to be eligible to win:
    • Facebook: First, like the Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park page. Next, send us a private message including your contact information specified in rule #3.
    • E-mail: If you don’t have access to social media, you may email your digital photo with your contact information specified in rule #3 to [email protected].
  3. Every entry should be clearly labeled with the photographer’s name, city & state, a brief photo caption, an email address and the best phone number to reach you.
  4. Photos should be available at a minimum resolution of 1200 x 1600 pixels (1 MB minimum) to be eligible to win. Photos taken via smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices are welcome if they meet minimum requirements.
  5. For entries showing human faces, you must list their name(s) and have written permission from any photographed person(s) to use their image.
  6. Entries should reflect the photographer’s interpretation of the theme. Emphasis will be placed on quality, composition and creativity. All entries may be used in promotions of Chimney Rock and park-related activities.
  7. Digital images can be optimized but not dramatically altered with photo editing software. Black and white photographs are welcome.
  8. Finalists will be chosen by Chimney Rock staff and the winner will be voted on by the public. Decisions regarding winners are final.

Winners will be notified personally and announced on Chimney Rock’s social media. For more information, call 1-828-625-9611, ext. 1812 or email us at [email protected].

Red Cross Buncombe County – Blood Drive Volunteer
Apr 1 @ 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
The American Red Cross

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.


The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Activities of the American Red Cross Western North Carolina Chapter include: Blood Services, Training Services, Disaster Services, and Home Fire Campaign.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood and one blood donation can save up to three lives. Help support lives in North Carolina by signing up to become a Blood Drive Volunteer today.  

Time Commitment:

Blood drives occur M-F and volunteers are expected to attend one blood drive a month to remain an active volunteer. This position is flexible as volunteers can sign up for shifts that work for their schedule and instructions for shift selection will be sent after responding to the opportunity.

Volunteer Roles:

  • Warmly greet donors and assist with registration in reception area.
  • Assist with initial intake and hand off through blood donation process.
    • Ensure donors have relevant information and all questions are answered appropriately.
    • Maintain proper sanitizing and cleanliness of reception and hospitality areas.
  • Attend canteen area in support of donors.
    • Thank donors for their contribution.
    • Alert staff immediately if a donor shows signs of feeling unwell.
  • Inform donors of current and upcoming donation promotions.
    • Make reminder/cancellation calls.
    • Reschedule donor appointments.
    • Perform follow-up activities as directed.

Volunteer Requirements:

  • Modeling excellent customer service behaviors.
  • Knowledge of technology needed for position (training provided)
    • Donor checkin, donor tablet, rapid pass, donor app.
  • Comfortable working with people from diverse communities and backgrounds
  • Dependable, punctual, and professional
  • Adhere to all Red Cross guidelines
  • Ability to remain calm in crisis situations
  • Adhere to CDC safety guidelines regarding COVID-19 precautions
  • Safety First! Our need for volunteers is constant and our guidelines reflect the latest CDC safety recommendations and follow the national and local government laws. COVID-19 vaccination will be required for in-person volunteer roles beginning January 3, 2022.
Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure – Asheville
Apr 1 @ 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Vance Memorial

Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure - Asheville

Turn the Dallas Asheville into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a two and a half-hour city tour. Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well-known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. Start when you want and play at your pace. Price is per team, not per person. Find details and Redeem your ticket as a Prepaid Code online at www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com.

Buncombe County Opens Its First Dog Park
Apr 1 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Buncombe County Sports Park

It can be ruff out there for our canine companions, but we have pawsitively great news. Buncombe County’s first-ever dog park is now open at our Sports Park in Candler. While this is a soft open, the park features two fenced-in play areas; one for large dogs and one for smaller pups. “We do have plans to add other amenities and water fountains,” exclaims Recreation Services Program Coordinator Mac Stanley. “People are very excited about this new opportunity. Since it was announced, we have gotten letters of support as well as many emails questioning when will the project be completed.”

So join us in a round of apaws as we celebrate the opening of this new venue for hot dogs and cool people. “It’s an amazing place to bring your dog to run free without a leash and interact with other dogs,” says Stanley. “One of my favorite aspects of this new dog park is being able to cultivate a community. Hopefully, this dog park will be instrumental in connecting dogs as well as people within the community.” Paw-yeah, sounds great.

Location: Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Circle

Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (same as the Sports Park)

Dog park drools rules
Dogs must be:

  • On a leash at all times until safely in the fenced-in dog park area
  • Vaccinated, licensed, and in good health
  • At least four months old to enter
  • Wearing a collar with ID tags
  • Under voice control of their human and not aggressive

Humans must:

  • Be with dogs at all times
  • Remove dogs at first sign of aggression
  • Pick up poop and dispose of it in receptacles provided
  • Be liable for any and all injuries caused by their dogs

Not Allowed:

  • Pronged, spike or choke collars
  • Aggressive dogs, aggressive humans, or dogs in heat
  • Unsupervised children 12 years of age or younger
New paddle boat fleet at Lake Julian
Apr 1 @ 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Lake Julian Park

A fleet of new paddle boats are ready to hit the water.

Recreation Services’ Lake Julian Park Rangers have assembled a new paddle boat fleet that is ship-shape and ready to hit the water. “We have received and assembled 17 brand new paddle boats to complete our fleet of 20 boats at Lake Julian Park,” notes Park Ranger Matt Dixon. “This is a great addition to the park and will be an enjoyable amenity for our park patrons for years to come.”

Lake Julian Park offers paddle boat rentals for $12/ hour and $8/half hour. The boats are available to rent every day the park is open (weather permitting), up until 2 hours before park closing time. Head over to the park on the next sunny day and make your own splash. Learn more at buncombecounty.org/parks.

Thanks FLO: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted
Apr 1 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
The North Carolina Arboretum

Who was the visionary who designed some of America’s most iconic gardens and parks? Find out at an all-new  exhibit celebrating the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted (FLO).

The exhibit on the man who planned both Central Park (his first major design) and Biltmore in Asheville (his final one), takes center stage in the Baker Visitor Center Exhibit Hall and at select locations in the landscape on the occasion of his 200th birthday. Thanks FLO features a retrospective of Olmsted’s life through landmarks and key moments and shows off a selection of his most iconic designs through vintage postcards, maps and green screen technology.

Step into the designing game and build a park using interactive tools and take a selfie that puts you front and center in iconic Olmsted parks. Outdoor exhibits await discovery and  illustrate the design principles Olmsted used while designing and building parks, greenways, campuses and private estates across the United States.

The exhibit is created in conjunction with the National Association for Olmsted Parks (NAOP) in celebration of Olmsted’s 200th birthday on April 26, 2022.

 

 

 

Thanks FLO:  Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted is presented in participation with Olmsted 200, a nationwide celebration taking place in parks and public spaces across the United States.

 

Tours: Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Apr 1 @ 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Old Kentucky Home -The Thomas Wolfe Memorial

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

American Novelist Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)

Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. Wolfe’s colorful portrayal of his family, his hometown of “Altamont” Asheville, North Carolina, and “Dixieland” the Old Kentucky Home boardinghouse, earned the Victorian period house a place as one of American literature’s most famous landmarks.

House tours are offered daily at half past each hour. Last tour leaves at 4:30 pm.
Group tours by reservation.

Adult – $5.00
Student (ages 7-17) – $2.00
Adult Group (10+) – $2.50 each
Student Group – $2.00 each
6 & under – Free

Hours of Operation

9:00am – 5:00pm
Tuesday – Saturday
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays

Volunteers: Adopt-A-Stormdrain Program
Apr 1 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
various locations in Buncombe County

New map of adoptable stormdrains in the Smith Mill Creek Watershed.

The Adopt-A-Storm Drain pilot program in the Central Asheville Watershed was such a success in 2021, that we are expanding it! Citizens can now volunteer to adopt a storm drain in the Central Asheville Watershed AND the Smith Mill Creek Watershed. Smith Mill Creek watershed is situated between Haywood Road and Patton Avenue, where it flows to meet the French Broad River, and features 245 adoptable storm drains. If you live or work in West Asheville, consider checking out the Adopt-A-Storm Drain map and adopting a storm drain, or two!

West Buncombe Elementary School Fundraiser: Donations Needed
Apr 1 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
West Buncombe Elementary School

West Buncombe Elementary PTO is starting to plan for our silent and live auction event
scheduled for April 29, 2022. At this fun event we have a meal followed by a silent auction and
ending with a live auction of 10-15 big items. This event is typically attended by about 300
community members. Another highlight of the night is our raffle basket drawing. The event
proceeds will help pay for much-needed materials for our teachers and students.
We would greatly appreciate any donation to make our annual fundraiser a success. Should you
make a donation for the silent or live auction your business will be recognized on the auction
display as well as event flyers. We will also provide a donation receipt letter with the PTO’s tax
exempt ID number for your records. A list of needed items or ideas can be found at the bottom
of this letter.
If you have any questions or need further information please contact us via email
[email protected] or call 828-232-4282. On behalf of the students, parents, and
faculty of West Buncombe Elementary, we thank you.
Sincerely,
West Buncombe Elementary PTO
Raffle Basket Items needed for
1. Gift Card Basket (any gift cards to make this basket great)
2. Local Business Basket (Local business items that promote our community)
3. Family Fun Basket. (New Board Games, Sports Equipment, Movie Tickets. etc..)
Silent Auction Items:
New or Like New Items with a value of $25 to $100. (Popular items from the past.
1. Photography Session 2. Fishing Equipment 3. Small Appliances 4. Spa Services 5. Sporting
Event Tickets 6. Handmade Items from Local Craftsmen.)
Live Auction Items:
New or Like New Items with a value of $100 or more. (Popular items from the past.
1. Bicycles 2. Vacation Packages 3. Jewelry 4. Furniture 5. New Appliances 6. Musical
Equipment) 7. Monetary Donations will also be accepted.

Biltmore Blooms Tour
Apr 1 @ 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Biltmore

April 1st through May 26th, 2022

Escape to Biltmore for a unique spring getaway. Immerse yourself in waves of color as Biltmore Blooms transforms our gardens and grounds. Savor complimentary wine tastings at our Winery. All this and more—an array of outdoor activities, shops, and restaurants, and of course, the timeless beauty of Biltmore House—is yours this spring at Biltmore.

Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Store Expands Hours
Apr 1 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Store

The Blue Ridge Humane Society Thrift Store will be one step closer to pre-pandemic operations beginning on Monday, April 4, 2022. The Thrift Store will be adding Mondays to their weekly schedule to welcome shoppers 6 days a week.

The store hours will expand to Monday-Saturday, 9:30am-4:30pm, and is located at 1214 Greenville Highway in Hendersonville.

The Thrift Store accepts donations Monday-Friday, 9:30am-2pm, so consider donating items when you are downsizing, cleaning out, or replacing gently used items. The Thrift Store also offers free pickup service of furniture or large items. Please call 828-620-3150 to schedule a pickup.

Blue Ridge Humane Society, Inc., is a 501(c)3 animal welfare organization started in 1950 dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of life for animals in Henderson County and our neighboring communities. BRHS cares for pets awaiting adoption and in foster homes; offers low-cost vaccine clinics, animal education programs, pet training classes, and youth education and projects; coordinates community pet food assistance, emergency vet assistance, and the Spay Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP), which is a collaboration with Henderson County, the City of Hendersonville, and the Henderson County Animal Services Center.

“Weaving Across Time”
Apr 1 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Center for Craft

Bringing thousands of years of tradition into conversation with contemporary practice, the Center for Craft’s exhibition ᎢᏛᏍᎦ ᏫᏥᏤᎢ ᎠᎵᏰᎵᏒ Weaving Across Time showcases the works of nine Eastern Band Cherokee basket makers. Touching on the dynamic evolution of lineage, sustainability, and cultural expression, the exhibition opens on December 13. This exhibition is supported in part by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and AARP, Mountain Region North Carolina.

The artists’ work with two of the oldest materials in Cherokee basket making tradition, mountain rivercane and white oak, both of which have been used for thousands of years by Southeastern tribes. The end results are both beautiful and functional – entries in an evolving craft tradition that began tens of thousands of years ago and is experiencing a resurgence. The labor-intensive process of basket making, which includes harvesting materials, gathering plants for dyes, and deciding on intricate patterns, itself becomes a key component of the final object, which interweaves ecology, culture, land, and identity.

These plants, particularly rivercane, are at the heart of Cherokee tradition and culture. The subject of serious conservation efforts, rivercane is also a vital plant for water quality and erosion mitigation, as well as a habitat for riparian species. Despite its importance, the effects of climate change and continually encroaching development in rivercane habitats has contributed to its depletion, both as a material for artists and a plant essential for environmental health. Basket makers harvesting rivercane for splints approach the plant with deep reverence and knowledge of its centrality to the ecosystem, sometimes traveling hundreds of miles to harvest it sustainably.

Other materials, selected with just as much care, reveal elements of process and the natural environment, including the plants available to harvest in particular seasons. White oak can be gathered year-round, but is easiest to process in spring and summer when sap runs up the tree. Dyes used for the baskets, sourced from plants including bloodroot, butternut, and walnut, add rich color to final pieces while also revealing information about harvest time and supply. The laborious, intensive process links generations of basket makers across centuries.

As Cherokee lands have been stolen or transformed beyond recognition, materials are harder to come by, but the rewards are rich. As basket maker ᏚᏍᏓᏯᎫᎾᏱ Gabriel Crow, explains, “When you’re taking that extra step, going out and doing this completely by hand, you’re a basket maker, not just a weaver. My hands are rough and calloused over because I make the splints myself.” Crow makes an average of just 20 baskets a year and, like other basket makers, wastes no scraps, instead making mats, miniature pieces, or, as a last resort, using them for kindling.

The baskets in the exhibition, all of which were created in the last two decades, connect lineages across time and space in a vibrant, living tradition. Patterns based on rhythmic numerical sequences are passed down from teacher to student. Basket makers also borrow from contemporaries and innovate to create pieces in their own recognizable styles. Basket maker ᎺᎵ ᏔᎻᏏᏂ Mary W. Thompson, who is also the consulting artist for The Basket public art parklet, finds inspiration in designs she sees on her travels to visit other tribes in North and South America. For her, baskets are symbolic of Cherokee resilience. “The Cherokee have always been able to change and adapt with time,” she says, “so our artwork and art forms have changed and evolved along with us.”

The exhibition will be on view until April 22. Visitors can reserve 30-minute time slots for unguided visits to explore the current exhibitions, learn more about the Center’s national impact, and enjoy interactive activities. The Center is open to the public Monday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm. Hours of operation may be subject to change.

Center for Craft is monitoring the effects of COVID-19 on the community and following the instruction of federal, state, and local health departments. Our top priority is always the health and safety of our staff, coworkers, and visitors. At this time, the Center requires the use of masks or face coverings by all visitors, including children. The Center reserves the right to refuse entry to any visitor that will not comply.

Place and Presence: exhibition featuring new works by Asheville artists Linda Gritta and Moni Hill
Apr 1 @ 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Bender Gallery

Interesting Finds
Linda Gritta
mixed media on canvas
36 x 36 inches

Sweeten Creek on Busbee Mountain
Moni Hill
acrylic on panel
60 x 60 inches
Gritta and Hill are abstract painters with different yet complementary styles reflecting the chaotic nature of the modern world and finding respite in nature and art. The exhibition celebrates the artists’ vibrant abstract work and their interconnection with Western North Carolina and its longstanding arts culture. Place and Presence runs from April 2nd through 30th during Bender Gallery’s regular business hours. There will be an opening reception for Gritta and Hill at the gallery on Saturday April 2nd from 6 to 9 PM at 29 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. Both artists will be in attendance to discuss their work. We hope to see you there!
Volunteer with Flat Rock Playhouse
Apr 1 @ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Flat Rock Playhouse
Flat Rock Playhouse Supporting
            Players

Flat Rock Playhouse believes in the power of collaboration, community, and connection. Over the years, volunteers have made it possible for our production seasons to thrive and grow.

Volunteers are deeply valued team members that support the arts at Flat Rock Playhouse on a powerful and poignant level by:

Maintaining and developing our beautiful gardens and grounds

Welcoming or sending off actors at the airport

Guiding guests and supporting FRP staff members as parkers

Preparing food for college-age apprentices

Attending to patrons as ushers at each performance

As we return to a full season of live productions, we want YOU to be a part of the magic.

Volunteers support the arts at Flat Rock Playhouse through gifts of time and resources, and they have the incredible opportunity to peek behind-the-scenes, learn more about how our hand-crafted productions come together, and connect with artists, staff members, and fellow volunteers. We hope you’ll join the team at Flat Rock Playhouse this season as a part of our volunteer community, Supporting Players!

Know someone who might be interested? Feel free to forward this email to your friends and family!

To learn more about how to get involved, visit our website or contact us at [email protected].

Volunteer with Us! Dynamic Docents + Oral History Heroes Needed
Apr 1 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center
We are looking for volunteers to act as docents in our museum and participate in oral history projects this year. Docents serve a critical role in welcoming guests to our museum and introducing them to Valley history. As the museum expands its hours this spring (Wed-Sat, 10am-5pm), the role of docents is critical. We are also needing volunteers to help us record oral histories from community members and transcribe oral histories that are already a part of our collection. Now is the time to capture the memories of Valley residents on topics including historic African-American communities and schools, covid and more
Volunteering at the WNC Nature Center
Apr 1 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
WNC Nature Center

Volunteering at the WNC Nature Center

Next time you visit the WNC Nature Center, look for the people in the green shirts! These special individuals are Nature Center volunteers.

Serving more than 10,000 hours a year, our team of volunteers can be found prepping meals in the animal kitchen, building bookshelves, tabling at events, pouring drinks at fundraisers, assisting the Membership Office, and kidding around with the goats in the barnyard!

Our Volunteer Coordinator and Animal Care Staff are committed to helping volunteers succeed by providing the tools, resources and training. And we’ll make sure you have fun along the way!

Volunteers must be 18 or older.